Covid cases falling across the region

CASES of Covid in the North East are continuing to fall – but the effects of the pandemic continue to be felt in some sectors.

That was the message from Northumberland County Council’s Director of Public Health Liz Morgan this week as she presented the latest data to councillors.

Speaking at the council’s health and wellbeing board on Thursday, said: “The prevalence is down from one in 25 to one in 35, which means we are down nationally from four million cases to just over 1.5 million in that week. This still represents a very high numbe.

“The North East is slightly higher than the rest of England, with a rate of about one in 30. There is quite a range in age groups – we are seeing one in 60 in primary age children but one in 29 in over-70s.

“Overall it is an improving picture and very similar to the rest of Europe. Sickness absences are reducing, but...schools are under pressure. However, things are going in the right direction.”