THE North-East has seen a drastic fall in the number of new Covid cases as the region is set to move into Tier 3 restrictions tomorrow.
Every council area in the region has continued to see the Covid infection rate plummet, with cases dropping by between 28 and 54 per cent, based on the week before.
It comes as MPs are today expected to vote on the tougher “three-tier” system as the four-week national lockdown ends on December 2.
READ MORE: This is when the first review of Tier 3 in the North-East will take place
If approved, it will mean more than 55m will be placed under either Tier 2 or Tier 3 restrictions – significantly more than when the the second national lockdown began last month.
>>>See the current Covid infection rate in your area below<<<
But last night, latest data for the North-East was hailed as a "glimmer of hope" that we could return to normality sooner with the potential to see us placed under Tier 2 if cases continued to fall.
'It's a glimmer of hope'
The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the fall in infections had come as a "huge relief" as he warned residents they are "not out of the woods" just yet.
He said: “It is important to stress that we are not out of the woods yet and we all should be doing everything we can to stop this virus spreading to protect our families, loved ones and colleagues.
“But the latest data give us a glimmer of hope of returning to normality and the lifting of further restrictions, such as the reopening of pubs and restaurants, to be allowed as soon as possible.
>>>See the current Covid infection rate in your area below<<<
Latest Public Health England data shows that in the week leading to November 25, all areas here saw a fall in the number of new cases.
It showed Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool and Newcastle as seeing the largest decrease with hundreds of fewer cases reported.
'There will be plenty of good times ahead'
Mr Houchen said: “This near year-long battle against the coronavirus battle has been a tough, but it is a battle we are winning – we will defeat it and we will come out of the other side.
"If everyone can keep going and keep up the fight as we get through Christmas and the roll out of a vaccine, there will be plenty of good times ahead and a lot to look forward to in 2021."
Mr Houchen’s comments came as council leaders in the North of the region representing County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Sunderland, North and South Tyneside and Northumberland last week urged residents to keep going in a bid to see Tier 3 restrictions lifted as soon as possible.
'Let's keep going' to move into Tier 2
In their joint-statement, they said: “We must continue to work together and by doing so we will put ourselves in a position to move to a tier which offers more of the freedoms we so dearly miss.
“Let’s keep going so we can once again meet up and socialise with our families and friends, help more of our local businesses reopen their doors to customers or so that we can cheer on our beloved sports teams.”
READ MORE: North-East councils say four-week lockdown has worked as region goes into Tier 3
The first review of the local lockdown measures in the North-East will take place on December 16 and be reviewed every seven days.
This is the Covid infection rate in your area
Data is accurate at time of Public Health England data, in the seven days to November 25, made available on November 30.
1. Redcar and Cleveland
Number of cases this week: 267
Covid-19 infection rate: 194.7 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 54.4 per cent
2. Hartlepool
Number of cases this week: 249
Covid-19 infection rate: 265.8 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 49.2 per cent
3. Newcastle
Number of cases this week: 656
Covid-19 infection rate: 216.6 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 44.6 per cent
4. Middlesbrough
Number of cases this week: 312
Covid-19 infection rate: 221.3 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 43.1 per cent
5. Stockton
Number of cases this week: 477
Covid-19 infection rate: 241.7 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 40.8 per cent
6. Gateshead
Number of cases this week: 408
Covid-19 infection rate: 201.9 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 37.6 per cent
7. County Durham
Number of cases this week: 1,126
Covid-19 infection rate: 212.4 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 36.7 per cent
8. Sunderland
Number of cases this week: 583
Covid-19 infection rate: 209.9 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 36.5 per cent
9. South Tyneside
Number of cases this week: 401
Covid-19 infection rate: 265.6 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 31.0 per cent
10. North Tyneside
Number of cases this week: 499
Covid-19 infection rate: 240.0 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 30.9 per cent
11. Northumberland
Number of cases this week: 612
Covid-19 infection rate: 189.8 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 30.8 per cent
12. Darlington
Number of cases this week: 264
Covid-19 infection rate: 247.2 cases per 100,000 people
Cases are DOWN by 28.3 per cent
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