Health chiefs in the region are also urging patients most at risk to make sure they get their free flu jabs.

A total of 628 people with swine flu symptoms across NHS South of Tyne and Wear – which includes Sunderland – were prescribed antivirals, down from 804 last week.

The number of those in hospital with the disease also fell, from 17 last week to 11 this week.

Martin Wilson, director of flu resilience for NHS North East, said: "We still have a lot of people in hospital with swine flu across the North East.

"It is very important that those people at risk of catching flu take up their free vaccinations – against both swine and seasonal flu – as soon as possible.

"Although the risks of serious complications from flu may be small for the majority of people, the impact on those who are badly affected can be devastating.

"A flu vaccination campaign is now well underway across the region targeting those people who are a priority, including all frontline health and social care staff."

>> Latest swine flu information