With Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning of an imminent “tidal wave” of Omicron cases, areas which are hotspots for the variant are already seeing some of the country’s highest overall infection rates.
Across the UK, there were 344,857 positive test results in the week to December 9, up 7% from the week before.
At a regional level, the North East has an infection rate of 377.6 cases per 100,000 people, with 10,123 in the seven days leading up to December 10.
The South East has the highest infection rates in the UK, with 650 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Northern Ireland, with 643 cases per 100,000.
Here are the neighbourhoods in Sunderland with the biggest rise in case rates in the past week.
1. Lakeside and Farringdon
Lakeside and Farringdon has seen rates of positive Covid cases rise by 184.6%, from 191.1 on October 15 to 543.8 on October 22. Photo: Gov.uk
2. Barnes Park
Barnes Park has seen rates of positive Covid cases rise by 87.5%, from 131.7 on October 15 to 246.9 on October 22. Photo: Gov.uk
3. Houghton Town
Houghton Town has seen rates of positive Covid cases rise by 82.8%, from 335.7 on October 15 to 613.6 on October 22. Photo: Gov.uk
4. Ryhope
Ryhope has seen rates of positive Covid cases rise by 80.0%, from 374.2 on October 15 to 673.5 on October 22. Photo: Gov.uk