ALMOST 100 new postcodes across the region have seen the number of new cases increase in the past week - as one area has seen 69 cases in seven days.

160 postcode areas across the North East and North Yorkshire have seen an upwards trend in Covid infections, up 93 from the previous week.

It comes as four out of the region's council areas have seen a rise in the week leading to August 11, a difference from the previous week when no areas recorded a rise.

>>> full list below <<<

Meanwhile, local authorities and health bosses have continued to encourage those over the age of 16 to come forward for their first and second dose of the Covid vaccine.

The Northern Echo:

Picture: NORTHERN ECHO

Analysis of data from Public Health England revealed Covid infections across the region have increased and that more areas have seen a rise in new cases.

But it also shows that the region's infection rate overall is still below the national average as more than half of our postcode areas are seeing the number of new cases decline.

According to the Government's dashboard, the region now has the country's sixth-highest infection rate at 282.8 cases per 100,000 people - the national average is 294.6.

Out of almost 357 postcode areas, also known as wards, 176 have seen infections decline, 20 have remained the same, and 160 have seen cases rise in the past week.

>>> full list below <<<

In the week previous, 276 saw cases on the decline, 13 saw cases remain the same, and 67 saw their cases rise.

The Northern Echo:

Picture: NORTHERN ECHO

Areas including Saltburn, Coxhoe, Heaton South, Gateshead Town and St Helen Auckland have seen among the highest new cases in the past week.

In Stockton, the Ingleby Barwick ward saw the region's highest number of cases with 69 reported in the week leading to August 11.

On the other end of the scale, areas including Haltwhistle, Lanchester, Jarrow and North Richmondshire have seen among the lowest new cases.

In Sunderland, the ward of Hall Farm saw just five new cases reported - a drop of 13 from the previous week.

These are the 160 postcodes where cases were on the up in the past week

To give you a picture of how the virus is affecting the region, we've listed the postcode areas where cases are on the up.

These are the council areas where cases were on the up in the past week

In a shift from the week before, four out of 14 council areas across the region reported a rise in the number of new cases in the week to August 11:

- County Durham - 1,402 new cases (up 73)

- Gateshead - 532 new cases (up 9)

- North Tyneside - 643 cases (up 36)

- Richmondshire - 141 cases (up 5)

Plea for those eligible to get the jab continues

Over the past several weeks, health authorities including the NHS County Durham CCG has been encouraging the public - including those over 16 - to have their Covid vaccine.

Health bosses have previously said there has been a "clear link" between falling hospitalisation rates and vaccination progress.

On Monday, a walk-in clinic opened in Asda's car park in Seaham for the day to help those who had not yet had their first or second dose to come forward.

Meanwhile, CCG bosses have been actively conveying their messages of encouragement across social media in a bid to get those eligible vaccinated.

The NHS Sunderland CCG said: "Having both vaccines means that you are three times less likely to test positive for the virus.

"Make sure you're fully protected against Covid-19. Call 119 now to book your slot."

To view the figures on the Government's Covid dashboard - click here 

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