THE UKs only remaining 'black' Covid hotspots have been revealed - and all five of them are in the North East.
Covid case rates across the region are currently the highest across England with five areas considered as the worst-hit.
A Government map has revealed how North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough have seen an excessive amount of cases.
Read more: Boris Johnson 'to scrap Plan B measures' in major Covid announcement
It comes as the Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to make a statement later today where he is expected to address Plan B measures currently in place.
By breaking cases down by each local authority, the map is colour-coded to show how severe cases are in that particular area.
Areas where case rates are above 1,600 per 100,000 people are regarded as black Covid hotspots, cases rates between 800 and 1,599 are dark purple and rates between 400 and 799 are light purple.
All but five across the country are either dark purple and light purple, with the five areas in the North East showing the highest rates.
The 5 Covid 'black' hotspots in the North East
These figures were published last night and show the picture in the seven days to January 13, 2022 compared with the seven days before.
1. Middlesbrough
Total cases: 2,557 cases (1,809.8 cases per 100,000)
2. Sunderland
Total cases: 4,989 cases (1,795.6 cases per 100,000)
3. South Tyneside
Total cases: 2,712 cases (1,794.4 cases per 100,000)
4. North Tyneside
Total cases: 3,501 cases (1,676.2 cases per 100,000)
5. Hartlepool
Total cases: 1,557 cases (1,659.3 cases per 100,000)
How the North East's Covid rates compare
According to figures published by the Government last night, the North East has the highest rate of Covid cases across the entire UK.
Although it has not seen the highest number of confirmed cases, it has the highest rate per population, which is how Covid rates are measured.
Theese figures include the rates from every council area within each region.
1. North East
Total cases: 42,528 cases (1,586.4 cases per 100,000)
2. Yorkshire and the Humber
Total cases: 66,605 cases (1,205.2 cases per 100,000)
3. West Midlands
Total cases: 67,661 cases (1,134.9 cases per 100,000)
4. North West
Total cases: 82,430 cases (1,118.8 cases per 100,000)
5. East Midlands
Total cases: 48,444 cases (995.6 cases per 100,000)
6. London
Total cases: 84,899 cases (943.1 cases per 100,000)
7. East of England
Total cases: 56,867 cases (907.1 cases per 100,000)
8. South East
Total cases: 82,333 cases (893.2 cases per 100,000)
9. South West
Total cases: 46,139 cases (815.3 cases per 100,000)
Despite sky high rates, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today issue an update and an announcement on Covid restrictions.
It is suggested that the PM is planning to scrap or downgrade Covid restrictions as he fights to save his job amid the "partygate" scandal.
It is thought, the PM and his Cabinet will examine the latest Covid-19 data on Wednesday morning before making the statement in the Commons.
A Government spokesman said: “Decisions on the next steps remain finely balanced.
“Plan B was implemented in December to slow the rapid spread of the extremely transmissible Omicron variant, and get more jabs in arms.
“It’s thanks to the phenomenal efforts of the NHS and many dedicated volunteers that we have now delivered over 36 million boosters to people across the UK.
“The Omicron variant continues to pose a significant threat and the pandemic is not over.
“Infections remain high but the latest data is encouraging, with cases beginning to fall. Vaccines remain our best line of defence and we urge people to come forward, to give themselves the best possible protection.”
See how your area compares with others across the UK
To view the figures for yourself click here
--
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here