Coronavirus cases are surging across the North East as we enter the Christmas period, with the Government looking increasingly likely to implement new restrictions.
New infections have spiked across the country as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly.
According to Public Health England, the most recent verifiable rate of infection in the North East was 425.8 cases per 100,000 residents in the seven days to December 15 - an increase of 13.7% on the previous seven days.
Read more: Go here for the latest coronavirus updates and breaking Covid-19 news
But how is the virus spreading among different age groups?
Looking at the official figures for the North East, it is clear that the virus is spreading quickly among schoolchildren.
Fortunately, levels are far lower in the elderly population, who are most at risk.
We've rounded up the age groups with the highest and lowest rates of Covid-19 for each part of the North East. The figures are based on those who tested positive in the seven days up to December 16.
The highest rate was among children aged five to nine in Northumberland, while the lowest was in those aged between 80 and 84 in Newcastle.
Across the North East, almost all of the highest case rates were among school age children, with Sunderland the only exception.
Northumberland
- Highest rate - ages five to nine; one in 73 tested positive
- Lowest rate - aged 90+; one in 3,559
Newcastle
- Highest rate - ages five to nine; one in 114
- Lowest rate- ages 80 to 84; one in 6,211
North Tyneside
- Highest rate - ages five to nine; one in 110
- Lowest rate - aged 90+; one in 1,934
South Tyneside
- Highest rate - ages five to nine; one in 110
- Lowest rate - ages 80 to 84; one in 1,437
Sunderland
- Highest rate - ages 40 to 44; one in 153
- Lowest rate - ages 80 to 84; one in 3,891
County Durham
- Highest rate - ages 10 to 14; one in 106
- Lowest rate - ages 80 to 84 - one in 3,030
Gateshead
- Highest rate - ages five to nine - one in 96
- Lowest rate 70 to 74, one in 2,674
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