THESE are the 20 postcode areas across County Durham and Darlington where Covid case rates are at their highest.
Most recent figures from Public Health England show areas have seen case rates soar above 1,000 cases per 100,000 people in the past week.
It comes as NHS bosses continue to urge people to come forward for their vaccine and any boosters as Covid rates rise across the country.
Read more: Covid symptoms: NHS list extended to include NINE new signs of coronavirus
Meanwhile, the Government have now scrapped free testing and have closed Covid test sites across the North East and North Yorkshire.
Northern Echo analysis of the figures show how areas including Bishop Auckland and Consett and Darlington's College and Park West have seen among the highest rates.
The figures, which cover the seven days to March 27, compared with the week before, show how hundreds of new cases had been reported between them in just several days.
In the UK, the average rate of infection is currently 860.8 cases per 100,000 people, meaning the areas listed below have rates much higher than expected.
The areas with the highest case rates
The figures as of 1pm on Monday, April 4
1. College and Park West, Darlington
Number of cases: 71 (up 11)
Covid infection rate: 1,190.9 per 100,000 people
2. Benfield, Hamsterley and Medomsley, County Durham
Number of cases: 120 (up 39)
Covid infection rate: 1,190.1 per 100,000 people
3. Consett, County Durham
Number of cases: 129 (up 57)
Covid infection rate: 1,149.7 per 100,000 people
4. Crook South, County Durham
Number of cases: 111 (up 60)
Covid infection rate: 1,146.5 per 100,000 people
5. Bishop Auckland Central & West, County Durham
Number of cases: 82 (up 37)
Covid infection rate: 1,127.8 per 100,000 people
6. Pierremont, County Durham
Number of cases: 56 (up 30)
Covid infection rate: 1,110.5 per 100,000 people
7. Pierremont, Darlington
Number of cases: 56 (up 30)
Covid infection rate: 1,110.5 per 100,000 people
8. Faverdale, Darlington
Number of cases: 103 (up 24)
Covid infection rate: 1,110.5 per 100,000 people
9. Burnopfield, County Durham
Number of cases: 87 (up 18)
Covid infection rate: 1,074.5 per 100,000 people
10. Hummersknot, Darlington
Number of cases: 96 (up 33)
Covid infection rate: 1,062.9 per 100,000 people
11. Chester-le-Street South and East, County Durham
Number of cases: 87 (up 21)
Covid infection rate: 1,050.3 per 100,000 people
12. Esh Winning & Ushaw Moor, County Durham
Number of cases: 67 (up 18)
Covid infection rate: 1,049.7 per 100,000 people
13. Stanley North & East, County Durham
Number of cases: 88 (up 15)
Covid infection rate: 1,048 per 100,000 people
14. Belmont & Carrville, County Durham
Number of cases: 77 (up 5)
Covid infection rate: 1,036.3 per 100,000 people
15. Peterlee South, County Durham
Number of cases: 65 (up 23)
Covid infection rate: 1,019.6 per 100,000 people
15. High Shincliffe & Bowburn, County Durham
Number of cases: 68 (up 16)
Covid infection rate: 1,019.2 per 100,000 people
16. Great Lumley & Bournmoor, County Durham
Number of cases: 71 (up 5)
Covid infection rate: 975.3 per 100,000 people
17. Harrowgate Hill, Darlington
Number of cases: 59 (up 17)
Covid infection rate: 967.2 per 100,000 people
18. Sedgefield & Bishop Middleham, County Durham
Number of cases: 66 (up 16)
Covid infection rate: 955.1 per 100,000 people
19. Brandon & Brancepeth, County Durham
Number of cases: 72 (up 13)
Covid infection rate: 954.5 per 100,000 people
20. Haughton Le Skerne, Darlington
Number of cases: 51 (up 15)
Covid infection rate: 951 per 100,000 people
See the Covid case rates for your area (includes every area in County Durham and Darlington)
What health authorities have said
Last month, Public Health directors across the North East urged people to continue coming forward for the vaccine amid rising case levels.
Amanda Healy, director of public health for County Durham, said: “We are aware of a rise in coronavirus cases in areas of County Durham in the past week, which is in line with what we are seeing across the rest of the country following the easing of the last remaining restrictions.
“This was to be expected as we move into a new phase of living with coronavirus.
“We continue to encourage members of the public to follow public health guidance at all times.
“Our best defence against the virus remains people getting their booster vaccine and first and second jabs if they have not had them already.
“We would advise people to continue wearing a face covering in crowded indoor public places and on public transport, let fresh air in if you meet indoors and get tested and self-isolate if required.”
To view the Covid rates for yourself click here
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