THE number of swine flu cases in the North-East has fallen for the first time since the second wave of infections began, new figures show today.

But the number of people needing hospital treatment continues to climb.

Figures released in the last hour show the there were 4,115 new cases of swine flu across Teesside, County Durham and Tyne and Wear last week.

That compares with 7,156 cases in the week before.

However, there are now 68 patients seriously ill in hospital - an increase of ten on the week previous.

A vaccination program is underway across the region and key "at risk" groups will be given jabs in the next few weeks.

Martin Wilson, director of NHS flu resilience in the North-East said: “We are continuing to see a high number of people in hospital with swine flu across the region.

“It is vital that people at risk of catching flu, including all frontline health and social care staff, take up their free vaccines for both swine and seasonal flu as soon as possible.

“Of the people who have died so far as a result of swine flu, around two thirds would have been in the priority groups for vaccination.

“Vaccines are currently being delivered across the region and those people who are at risk should be contacted by their GP and invited in for a vaccination appointment in the next few weeks."