The 9 North East areas with the highest infection rates

THERE are now nine places in the North East where coronavirus infection rates are above 400.

The latest figures from Public Health England show County Durham has seven areas with high infection rates in the week leading up to December 22.

Outson and Beamish has the highest infection rate in the North East, with a rate of 692.5 per 100,000 of population.

Ferryhill East and Cornforth has the second highest infection rate with 656.4, while Pity Me and Framwellgate has a rate of 504.6.

Overall, County Durham recorded 1,303 cases in the week leading up to December 22, with an infection rate of 245.8.

Elsewhere in the North East, South Tyneside is the only other local authority area with infection rates over 400.

Cleadon Park has a rate of 498.8, while Jarrow Town has a rate of 467.4.

South Tyneside recorded 395 cases in the seven days up to December 22, with an infection rate of 261.6.

While millions of people were plunged into Tier 4 restrictions on Boxing Day, the North East remained in Tier 3.

But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove refused to rule out the whole of England being moved into Tier 4 restrictions.

On Monday, he told BBC Breakfast: “We review which tiers parts of the country should be in on the basis of scientific evidence.

“The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) will be making a recommendation to ministers, but I can’t pre-empt that because it obviously has to be a judgment based on the medical situation.

“As you quite rightly point out, the NHS is under pressure and these are difficult months ahead.”

Areas with rates above 400

COUNTY DURHAM

■ Ouston and Beamish 692.5

■ Ferryhill East and Cornforth 656.4

■ Pity Me and Framwellgate 504.6

■ Sherburn and West Rainton 468.3

■ Esh Winning and Ushaw 443.0

■ Sacriston 406.5

■ Coxhoe and Quarrington Hill 408.3

SOUTH TYNESIDE

■ Cleadon Park 498.5

■ Jarrow Town 467.4