Online voices

Sunderland's coronavirus cases rise by 800% in a week as city is set to be added to government watch list.

David Nicholson: How many have died because of the virus recently in Sunderland? And just to put things into context, twice as many people died of flu and pneumonia last month in the Uk, and that’s from government statistics.

Jade Greenall: Most new infections are people under 29 years old so only a low percentage will be admitted to hospital. They can and will pass it onto their more vulnerable friends and family eventually though. Also, there's a lag between infection and death, you don't die instantly from covid.

Adam Potts: Someone explain why everyone's so surprised? Just get on with day to day lives and the ones who are high risk isolate and don't use the 50% eat out deal either..... obviously that’s nothing to do with now is it!

Elizabeth Swanston: The amount of dare I say it, younger ones, of college age, not wearing masks and in groups I feel needs to be tackled. Saw three lads the other days about 16/17 walk into a garage and not one had mask on! So I’d say less likely to be washing hands too ... more pressure needs to be on people like that. So businesses need to step up and enforce things. People have relaxed too much ... not everyone takes names n numbers when in cafes/ restaurants either. I’ve been to two lately n neither did x

Kathy Haq: if all shops insisted on facemasks, unless they had an exemption certificate from a doctor, they’d have to wear them or starve. Most of the ones I see in supermarkets without masks are either young couples or families of 2 or 3 people. Sorry I don't believe they all have health problems etc and selfishness is not a medical condition.

Nickie Richmond: Close the pubs back down, the rise is originating from there!

Colin Pearson: I don't know anyone who's got it or had it.

Kris Day: Can I ask why we seem to get talked about on northeast news daily yet Gateshead and South Tyneside who appear to be worse don’t?

Loz Davis: The PCR tests aren't fit for purpose!