Children in need of treatment may be avoiding hospitals for fear of contracting Covid-19, doctors have warned.
On Saturday, a spokesperson for the Great North Children's Hospital, which is based at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, said fewer children than usual were coming in for treatment.
This may be because parents and carers are worried about coming into hospital, experts believe, and doctors moved to reassure parents.
Dr Jason Gane, head of general paediatrics, said: "It is extremely important that babies and children with high temperatures and other worrying symptoms are not left unseen, as these can indicate something more serious going on.
"If you are worried, we would strongly advise you to seek medical help."
All Covid-19 patients are being cared for in separate areas of the hospital, a spokesperson said, and families should not be afraid to seek care if they need it.
Most "non-urgent" appointments have been postponed, and video consultations may be offered in some cases to avoid the need to travel to hospital.
But anyone asked to come in for a face-to-face appointment should do so.
