A housing provider has confirmed a member of staff has tested positive for coronavirus.
The Gentoo employee is based at the firm’s Houghton-le-Spring office and is self-isolating at home.
The company says it has “robust” safety measures in place that include track and trace and deep cleaning when required.
It comes as Sunderland was warned a local lockdown is “very close” due to a steep increase in cases, with the city added to Public Health England’s watch list.
Nigel Wilson, chief executive officer at Gentoo Group, said: “We can confirm that a Gentoo employee based at our Houghton-le-Spring office has tested positive for Covid-19.
“As a Covid-19 secure business, we have robust Safe Systems of Work and working practices in place to protect our colleagues and tenants which include Track and Trace and deep cleaning as required.
“The employee is isolating at home and we will continue to advise and support them throughout this period.”
Sunderland saw 244 new positive cases in the seven days to Tuesday, September 8.
This equates to around 75 cases per 100,000 people - three times higher than the national rate.
There have been 61 confirmed cases linked to a charity football match held at Burnside Working Men's Club, in Fence Houses, on August 30.
