Covid-19 cases have increased in all but two parts of the North East, according to official data.
Last week data showed rates were rising in Newcastle faster than anywhere else in the region, after falling for almost a month.
However, new data shows infections dropped in both Newcastle and South Tyneside during the seven days to December 19.
Analysis of Government data suggests that as infection rates explode around the UK - in part due to the new 'mutant' strain - the North East, in parts, appears to be bucking the trend.
Only South Tyneside's rate is currently above the national average although infections are currently falling faster there than anywhere else in the region.
But it isn't all good news this Christmas.
Infections are rising in the other five LA7 councils, in Gateshead the number of cases has risen by 41.4%.
When restrictions were reviewed last week, the town's rate was on par with regions which were then in Tier 2.
There are now 287 confirmed cases, the equivalent 143 per 100,000 people, and North Tyneside has now become the local authority area with the lowest rates.
(The data is extracted from the UK Government's Covid-19 data map, with the figures correct for the week ending December 19. The infection rate is based on the number of cases in a week for every 100,000 residents)
- Newcastle - 143.3 cases for every 100,000 residents (434 cases in total, down 2.7%)
- Gateshead - 143 cases for every 100,000 residents (287 cases in total, up 41.4%)
- Northumberland - 190.4 cases for every 100,000 residents (614 cases in total, up 10.6%)
- North Tyneside - 134.7 cases for every 100,000 residents (280 cases in total, up 3.3%)
- South Tyneside - 287.5 cases for every 100,000 residents (434 cases in total, down 9.4%)
- Sunderland - 168.5 cases for every 100,000 residents (486 cases in total, up 9.6%)
- County Durham - 203.9 cases for every 100,000 residents (1081 cases in total, up 33.6%)
