A COUNCIL has reassured residents it is "keeping a close eye" on case numbers following a spike in coronavirus infections in the past week. 

Darlington Borough Council said there is no cause for alarm after latest Public Health England figures revealed cases were up by more than a third.

SEE MORE: These council areas in the North-East and North Yorkshire have seen an INCREASE in Covid cases 

Most recent data for the region showed Darlington had seen its figures rise by 35 per cent in the week leading to March 12, compared with the week previous.

It showed that the town had seen a total of 135 cases in those seven days - a rise of 35, pushing its infection rate up to 126.4 cases per 100,000 population.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Councillor Kevin Nicholson, the council’s Cabinet member for Health and Housing, said cases had peaked in the area later than in other parts in the region.

He said: “We are keeping a close eye on case numbers in Darlington, as we have done throughout the pandemic.

"Although there has been a modest increase in cases recently, there is no cause for alarm.

“What I would remind people is that, during this wave, cases in Darlington peaked later than in any other local authority area in the North-East.

“As the wave built, we kept case numbers down in comparison with other areas. That means our recovery into having lower numbers, as predicted, has taken that bit longer."

Cllr Nicholson said that it had a "robust" testing regime following the reopening of schools on March 8. 

He said: “We also have a robust testing regime in schools, so that has identified existing asymptotic cases which may not have originally been found.

“We are doing well in Darlington and it’s important to remember that. But we mustn’t get complacent.

"I’d urge everyone to keep sticking to the rules to keep themselves – and our communities – safe," he added.

The Northern Echo: Dark blues show where cases are at their highest Picture: UK GOVERNMENTDark blues show where cases are at their highest Picture: UK GOVERNMENT

The figures show that seven wards across the Darlington area saw a rise in infections in the past week.

The Cockerton and Hopetown ward saw cases up 14, the area's highest rise in the week to March 12. 

These are the latest weekly Covid figures for Darlington - where cases are going up

1. Cockerton & Hopetown

Number of cases this week: 16 (up 14)

2. Bank Top

Number of cases this week: 13 (up 11)

3. Central Darlington

Number of cases this week: 17 (up 9)

4. Harrowgate Hill

Number of cases this week: 13 (up 5)

5. Park East

Number of cases this week: 14 (up 4)

6. Albert Hill & Red Hall

Number of cases this week: 14 (up 3)

7. Hummersknott

Number of cases this week: 5 (up 3)

Where cases are going down

1. Middleton & Hurworth

Number of cases this week: 12 (same)

2. Faverdale, Heighington & Sadberge

​Number of cases this week: 7 (down 1)

3. Firthmoor

Number of cases this week: 6 (down 8)

4. Whinfield

Number of cases this week: 8 (same)

5. Pierremont

​Number of cases this week: 5 (down 1)

Where there are little or no confirmed cases 

1. Rise Carr

Number of cases this week: none

2. Haughton Le Skerne

Number of cases this week: none

3. College & Park West

Number of cases this week: none