As almost all North East authority areas record more than a 50% rise in cases compared to the previous seven day period, the areas with the highest and lowest case rates have been identified.
Government data reveals that recorded cases more than doubled in Percy Main, North Heaton, Wideopen and Seaton Burn and Blyth South in the seven days to March 13. While case rates per 100,000 people reached 1,118.7 in North Gosforth - the highest figure in the region.
The local authority in our region with the highest Covid rate per 100,000 people over the seven days to March 13 was Northumberland, where it was 590.8. That was based on 1,913 cases across the county and is up 68.0% on a week earlier.
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In North Tyneside the figure is 540.5, which is up by 53.8% in a week based on 1,129 cases, while Newcastle 's rate on that date was 509.7. That was up by 67.6% on a week earlier, and based on 1,564 cases.
In County Durham the rate also increased by a huge 85.7% to March 13, hitting a case rate of 439.7 per 100,000 people based on 2,344 cases. In Sunderland there was a case rate of 408.5 and an increase of 53.6% based on 1,135 cases.
Gateshead 's equivalent figure is 396.1, which is up by 68.4%. While South Tyneside currently has a case rate of 320.2 per 100,000 people.
It comes amid criticism of Government ministers over plans to scrap much of the Covid surveillance along with free testing - which will end on April 1.
Funding is also being withdrawn from the Zoe Covid symptom study, as well as the Siren and Vivaldi studies which monitor infections in health workers and care homes.
And scientists announced last week that the 'React' study will be scrapped at the end of March, with no further data will be collected beyond that point. The study randomly tests around 150,000 people across England every month to see how many are infected with Covid.
Some areas in the North East did witness a decline in recorded cases this week, including parts of the West End of Newcastle and South Tyneside.
Recorded cases in Brockley Whins and West Boldon declined by almost 50% in the seven days to March 13. Both areas were listed as having some of the lowest Covid cases rates in the North East.
The North East areas with the highest Covid-19 rates per 100,000 people over the seven days to March 13:
North Gosforth - 1,118.7 (Total cases: 114)
The rate has increased by 53 (86.9%) from the previous week
Alnwick - 912.4 (Total cases: 62)
The rate has increased by 23 (59.0%) from the previous week
Tynemouth West - 893.0 (Total cases: 52)
The rate has increased by 22 (73.3%) from the previous week
Coxlodge & West Gosforth - 876.1 (Total cases: 91)
The rate has increased by 47 (106.8%) from the previous week
Kingston Park & Dinnington - 867.8 (Total cases: 120)
The rate has increased by 58 (93.5%) from the previous week
Percy Main - 866.2 (Total cases: 68)
The rate has increased by 42 (161.5%) from the previous week
South Gosforth - 858.4 (Total cases: 82)
The rate has increased by 21 (34.4%) from the previous week
Ashington West - 853.4 (Total cases: 63)
The rate has increased by 20 (46.5%) from the previous week
Ashington South - 836.1 (Total cases: 41)
The rate has increased by 13 (46.4%) from the previous week
North Heaton - 818.3 (Total cases: 70)
The rate has increased by 46 (191.7%) from the previous week
Wideopen & Seaton Burn - 812.5 (Total cases: 63)
The rate has increased by 36 (133.3%) from the previous week
Blyth South - 809.2 (Total cases: 52)
The rate has increased by 38 (271.4%) from the previous week
The North East areas with the lowest Covid-19 rates per 100,000 people over the seven days to March 13:
Elswick - 135.2 (Total cases: 20)
The rate has decreased by -2 (-9.1%) from the previous week
Nunsmoor - 152.3 (Total cases: 22)
The rate has decreased by -5 (-18.5%) from the previous week
Brockley Whins -167.3 (Total cases: 9)
The rate has decreased by -7 (-43.8%) from the previous week
West Boldon - 179.2 (Total cases: 11)
The rate has decreased by -9 (-45.0%) from the previous week
West Park - 183.0 (Total cases: 10)
The rate has decreased by -4 (-28.6%) from the previous week
