Coronavirus cases in Sunderland rise by more than 300%

The figures, for the seven days to Friday, September 4, are based on tests carried out in laboratories through the Government’s testing programme and in the wider community, showing how many cases per 100,000 have been confirmed.

Data for the most recent three days, which runs from Saturday, September 5, to yesterday, Monday, September 7, has been excluded as it is incomplete and likely to be revised.

The figures available shows that in Sunderland 107 people - the equivalent of 38.5 per 100,000 – have been found to have the virus, compared to 22 people – or 7.9 per 100,000 – last week; a rise of 85, or 386%.

A number of positive tests linked to visitors and staff at businesses, as well as among school communities, led to a number of them being closed during the last few days.

In South Tyneside, which was put on Public Health England’s watchlist on Friday evening, its case rate has gone up from 3.58, or 54 cases last week, to 45, which is 68 cases, while Gateshead, where concerns have also been raised about its levels, has gone from 13.4, or 27 cases, to 46, which equates to 93 cases.

Council leaders from Newcastle, Sunderland, County Durham, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside, as well as the North of Tyne elected mayor have released a joint statement as the regional rate continued to climb.

They say the average number of new cases has doubled in just over a week to about 80 per day, with concerns voiced about the rise in the number of young people found to have the virus.

That figure is expected to continue to rise and highlighted incidents where “reckless” people have gone out after having a test, and before they have received results, and then infected others.

They said a “significant minority” continued to think it was acceptable to have house parties – despite household transmission being the “biggest danger”.

They added: “A significant minority believe it is OK to have house parties, hold events with unregulated crowds, ignore the rules – well it isn’t.

“Household transmission remains the biggest danger.

“By not following the guidance, advice and legislation you are at greater risk of spreading the virus to your own family, which as we have seen can lead to tragic consequences.”

The statement says “the impact that would have on our health service and the possibility of an economically-damaging lockdown would be devastating.”

It added: “Don’t assume, if you are a contact, that a negative test means you are OK – it doesn’t, you could be incubating the virus.

“If you are asked to self-isolate, it is really important that you do so whatever your test status at the time.

“We have seen cases where individuals with symptoms have had a test, then gone out and infected others before getting their results – reckless and selfish behaviour.”

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