The 13 North East towns and villages with HIGHEST Covid case rates

Latest Public Health England figures show that Great Lumley & Bournmoor, near Chester-le-Street has seen the highest rates with cases at 1,000 per 100,000 people. 

This is compared to the rest of the North East, where the average rate of infection - across more than 340 neighbourhood areas - is currently 357 cases per 100,000 people, significantly lower.

Read more: Man is 'wrongly' given trial Covid vaccine at North East hospital after confusion

It comes as local authorities are still publishing guidance urging people to act "carefully and remain cautious" as cases continue to rise.

Cases are at their highest in areas in the purple Picture: PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND

Northern Echo analysis of the latest figures show how areas including County Durham's Stanhope and Weardale, Washington's Harraton and Fatfield and Darlington's Park East had also seen the highest rates in the past week.

The figures, which cover the seven days to September 22, compared with the week before, show how hundreds of new cases had been reported between them in just several days, pushing up the rate of infection.

The infection rate is worked out by looking at the number of cases and the population in each neighbour area, which contain an average of 7,000 people.

Read more: Full list of who can have Covid booster - as NHS bookings are officially open 

Public Health England then look at this to identify the potential hotspots, seeing where exactly high percentages of the population have tested positive.

In the North East, there are 13 towns and villages where the Covid rates are among the highest and are currently all tracking above 700 cases per 100,000 people.

These are the 13 areas with the highest Covid rates 

The data is from the seven days to September 22, compared to the week before

1. Great Lumley & Bournmoor, County Durham

Covid infection rate: 1,044 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 76 (up 56 from week before)

2. Longhoughton & Alnmouth, Northumberland

Covid infection rate: 966.1 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 65 (up 41 from week before)

3. Howdon, North Tyneside

Covid infection rate: 964.1 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 62 (up 20 from week before)

4. Harraton, Rickleton & Fatfield, Sunderland

Covid infection rate: 840.9 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 83 (up 63 from week before)

5. Stanhope & Weardale, County Durham

Covid infection rate: 776.9 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 62 (up 28 from week before)

6. Albany and Blackfell, Sunderland

Covid infection rate: 767.9 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 52 (up 27 from week before)

7. Park East, Darlington

Covid infection rate: 753.8 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 48 (up 21 from week before)

8. Loftus & Skinningrove, Redcar and Cleveland

Covid infection rate: 744.2 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 38 (down 19 from week before)

9. Lanchester, County Durham

Covid infection rate: 730.7 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 44 (up 26 from week before)

10. Crawcrook & Greenside, Gateshead

Covid infection rate: 726 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 66 (up 38 from week before)

11. Morpeth North & Pegswood, Northumberland

Covid infection rate: 721.4 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 41 (up 27 from week before)

12. Morpeth South & West, Northumberland

Covid infection rate: 715.1 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 48 (up 32 from week before)

13. Columbia, Barmston & Teal Farm, Sunderland

Covid infection rate: 710 cases per 100,000 people

Number of cases this week: 58 (up 19 from week before)

'We must all work together to keep moving forward'

Earlier this month council leaders in the north of the region urged people to continue being considerate to others, maintaining a safe social distance and good ventilation.

In a statement representing councils in Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, County Durham, North Tyneside and South Tyneside, they urged people to continue coming forward for their vaccine ahead of the winter period.

They said: "With the return of colder weather on the horizon, and children and young people going back to schools, colleges, and universities, it is essential that clear and robust plans are put in place to protect us from any significant increase in Covid-19 cases and the burden that would place on the NHS.

"While cases have remained relatively high, and consistent daily death figures have served as a sobering reminder that the virus has never gone away despite restrictions being eased in July, we always knew that the approach to winter would be a significant test.

"All doses of the vaccine offer a layer of protection to our region and we continue to urge anyone who is eligible to be vaccinated, whether that is first, second or booster, to get their jabs as soon as possible."

"None of us want to return to periods of lockdown, and it is right that they be kept as a last resort.

"They have a huge impact on our wellbeing and restrain industries that are trying to get back on their feet.

"Our region is working hard on our economic recovery and we must all work together to keep moving forward and to prevent measures that could harm this progress.

"We should all continue to be cautious, considerate and kind to others as we enter this next stage of the pandemic.

"Simple measures like maintaining a safe social distance and good ventilation, the use of face coverings, and regular handwashing are effective and helping to manage the spread of the virus.

"The fact the Government is holding onto the regulatory powers to bring back mandatory mask wearing and working from home show how essential those simple measures remain.

"Taking regular Lateral Flow Tests to spot if you have the virus without realising, and getting a PCR and self-isolating when required will also be key as we all play our part in keeping our region safe, our children and young people in education, and businesses open.

"But still, our best defence remains the vaccine. They have already saved tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of lives. They are readily available at vaccination centres, pop-up clinics and elsewhere. Please, if you haven't done so already, make sure you come forward for yours and encourage every eligible person in your family and community to do the same.

"The pandemic is far from over and the months ahead may well test our resolve to the limit once again. But as we have done throughout, we must continue to work together to protect our communities, support the NHS, and allow our villages, towns and cities to recover properly from this hugely difficult period."

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