COVID case figures across the North East have dropped to the lowest in England.

Data from Public Health England shows the region recorded 7,758 cases in the seven days to August 6 - more than half the next lowest rate in the East of England.

It comes after cases surged in some areas of the North-East when all 14 local authorities reported a rise at the end of June.

But since the loosening of restrictions and reopening of hospitality on July 19, cases have decreased.

Darlington’s 294 cases between August 5 and August 11 recorded the second largest decrease in confirmed cases with a -22.2 per cent difference compared to the previous seven days.

However, in County Durham the number of cases increased by 3.1 per cent to 1,437.

Middlesbrough’s current seven day case rate of 404.1 per 100,000 people remains one of the highest in the country, but case numbers continue to fall with 607 people testing positive between August 5-11.

Despite the fall in cases, a leading regional doctor has revealed the shocking toll Covid-19 is having on pregnant women in the region.

Steph El-Malak, head of midwifery services at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, said: “The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that in the last fortnight 100 pregnant women have been admitted with Covid-19. At least ten were admitted to intensive care."

Amanda Healy, Durham County Council’s director of public health, commended the public for the fall in case numbers across the North-East but continued to urge caution.

She said: “It is pleasing to see significant reductions in our current seven-day infection rates and we would like to thank everyone in County Durham for their continued cautious approach. By applying control measures such as Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air, residents are helping to protect themselves and their loved ones and we are very grateful for their efforts.

“It is important, however, that we remember coronavirus is still with us.

“As we learn to live with the virus, we would encourage people to continue applying these control measures and to make sure they have both doses of the vaccine. Regular lateral flow tests will help people to identify if they have the virus without realising. And, if anyone has symptoms of the virus, it is vital they stay at home and book a PCR test as soon as possible.”

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