COVID rates in Darlington are among the highest in the North East as cases continue to rise in many parts of the region.

Public Health director Penny Spring said cases continue to be highest among the unvaccinated population, particularly school age children.

The most recent available figures, which are for the seven days until October 20, show there were 669 Covid cases in Darlington, which was up 0.6 per cent.

It meant the area had a case rate of 622.9 per 100,000 people, which was the highest in Tees Valley and the second highest in the North East, second to North Tyneside, which had a rate of 742.1 per 100.000.

Within the borough, the highest case rate was in Middleton and Hurworth, where 83 cases were recorded – a rate of 910 cases per 100,000 people.

Penny Spring, Director of Public Health at Darlington Borough Council, said: “Although Darlington’s Covid case rates are still higher than the national average, we are seeing a drop in cases week on week. Like many other local authorities, our case rates continue to be highest amongst our unvaccinated population, particularly school aged children.

"Whilst our 12-15-year-old vaccination rates are one of the highest in the region, we must still work with schools to reduce the rate of transmission in classroom environments. Even though children mostly have very mild symptoms or none at all, to help keep our most vulnerable residents safe and prevent a rise in hospital admissions, we must all play our part to stop the spread of Covid this winter.

"This includes by getting the vaccine as soon as you can, testing regularly even without symptoms, self-isolating if you test positive and being considerate when mixing with others – wash your hands regularly, open windows to get fresh air or meet outdoors, wear a face covering when appropriate and keep your distance from others.”

In County Durham, cases are also rising slightly and were up 0.4 per cent, to 2,372. There was a case rate of 444.9 per 100,000 people.

In Teesside, cases are up in Middlesbrough, which had a rate of 503.9 per 100,000, Redcar and Cleveland, which had a rate of 578.6 and Hartlepool, where the rate was 397.5. In Stockton, cases had fallen by 2.6 per cent and it had a rate of 386.5 per cent.

In Hambleton, North Yorkshire there were 434 cases, a rate of 472.1 and Richmondshire, there were 190 cases and a rate of 353.6.

Across the North East, there were 13,293 cases - a rate of 495.9 per 100,000 people.

What are the latest Covid rates in the region? 

  • Data from the seven days until October 20

Darlington

669 cases (Up 4, 0.6 per cent)

Case rate – 622.9 per 100,000 people

County Durham:

2,372 cases (up 10, 0.4 per cent)

Case rate – 444.9 per 100,000 people

Stockton

763 cases (down 20, 2.6 per cent)

Case rate – 386.5 per 100,000 people

Hartlepool

373 cases (up 59, 18.8 per cent)

Case rate – 397.5 per 100,000 people

Middlesbrough

712 (up 168, 30.9 per cent)

Case rate - 503.9 per 100,000 people

Redcar and Cleveland

794 (Up 148, 22.9 per cent)

Case rate - 578.6 per 100,000 people

Hambleton

434 (up 64, 17.3 per cent)

Case rate - 472.1 per 100,000 people

Richmondshire

190 (Up 32, 20.3 per cent)

Case rate - 353.6 per 100,000 people

Sunderland

1222 (up 172, 16.4 per cent)

Case rate - 439.8 per 100,000 people

Gateshead

1086  (up 117, 12.1 per cent)

Case rate - 537.8  per 100,000 people

Newcastle

1205 (up 199, 19.8 per cent)

Case rate - 392.7  per 100,000 people

North Tyneside

1550 (Up 260, 20.2 per cent)

Case rate - 742.1  per 100,000 people

Northumberland

1908 (up 262, 15.9 per cent)

Case rate - 589.2  per 100,000 people

South Tyneside

639 (Up 114, 21.7 per cent)

Case rate - 422.8  per 100,000 people

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