A mobile testing unit has been set up in a Newcastle suburb to give people more places to go to get tested.
A spokesman for Newcastle Council confirmed that the new unit was set up on Stoddart Street, in Shieldfield, to increase testing capacity.
The unit opened for tests last Saturday.
A number of student accommodation is in the Shieldfield area, and it was revealed on Friday that more than 800 students in the city had tested positive for coronavirus.
Photographs taken of the site show staff wearing gloves and masks ready to test people.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has said the R rate is estimated to be between 1.3 and 1.6, up from a range of 1.2 to 1.5 last week, The Mirror reported.
R is an estimate of how many people a person with Covid-19 might spread the disease to.
An R number between 1.3 and 1.6 means that on average every 10 people infected will infect between 13 and 16 other people.
And the estimated growth rate, of between +5% and +9%, means the number of new infections is growing by 5% to 9% every day.
In the North East and Yorkshire, the regional rate is estimated to be 1.2-1.6, with a growth rate of +4% to +9% every day.
However, the group noted that this number reflects the situation up to three weeks ago because it uses a number of different models to calculate how the virus is spreading.
Separate infection data on Friday gave the first signs that the rapid rise in new cases in early September may be slowing down - however, while this could be the case, scientists have warned people not to "become complacent".
Health bosses say people they should only book a test if they have coronavirus symptoms or have been asked to get tested.
Tests can be booked by calling 119 or visiting the NHS website.
