Latest Newcastle figures as Covid cases continue to rocket

The number of Covid cases in the UK is on the rise and Downing Street are keeping a "very close eye" on the situation.

Thanks to the vaccination effort, a bout of the virus is now less likely to land you in hospital, but the number of infections continues to soar.

Over the weekend 136,217 more people tested positive for Covid, bringing the total to 8,497,868.

Here's how it's looking in Newcastle and surrounding areas.

Newcastle

The number of coronavirus cases in Newcastle increased by 452 over the weekend, official figures show – and one more death was recorded.

A total of 47,705 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in Newcastle when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on October 18 (Monday), up from 47,253 on Friday.

The rate of infection in Newcastle now stands at 15,548 cases per 100,000 people, far higher than the England average of 12,779.

The figures also show that nearly two-thirds of people in Newcastle have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. The latest figures show 189,351 people had received both jabs by October 17 (Sunday) – 64% of those aged 12 and over, based on the number of people on the National Immunisation Management Service database.

Gateshead

The number of coronavirus cases in Gateshead increased by 445 over the weekend, official figures show – and two more deaths were recorded.

A total of 30,021 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in Gateshead when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on October 18 (Monday), up from 29,576 on Friday.

The rate of infection in Gateshead now stands at 14,866 cases per 100,000 people, far higher than the England average of 12,779.

The figures also show that three-quarters of people in Gateshead have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The latest figures show 135,834 people had received both jabs by October 17 (Sunday) – 75% of those aged 12 and over, based on the number of people on the National Immunisation Management Service database.

North Tyneside

The number of coronavirus cases in North Tyneside increased by 538 over the weekend, official figures show.

A total of 30,049 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in North Tyneside when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on October 18 (Monday), up from 29,511 on Friday.

The rate of infection in North Tyneside now stands at 14,386 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the England average of 12,779.

The figures also show that more than three-quarters of people in North Tyneside have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The latest figures show 148,117 people had received both jabs by October 17 (Sunday) – 78% of those aged 12 and over, based on the number of people on the National Immunisation Management Service database.