THE 'R' number in the North-East appears to be under the crucial figure needed to reduce the number of coronavirus cases and likelihood of a second wave.
New data released by scientists from Public Health England and Cambridge University shows how likely each region will see a rise in Covid-19 cases.
It comes as the UKs 'R' number crept up on Friday, currently averaging between 0.7 and 0.9 as of data available on June 5.
The 'R' number is how experts monitor the disease's ability to spread - it needs to be below 1 in order to be considered 'stable.'
But new data estimates the 'R' number for the North-East and North Yorkshire currently stands at 0.89 - previously the highest in the UK.
The new highest region in the UK is the North-West which has an estimated 'R' number of 1.01 - the rate where, on average every person who is infected will infect 1 other person.
But the North-East remains to have the UKs highest coronavirus death rate with Public Health England figures showing the region has seen an average of 78 deaths per 100,000 people.
Data recorded between January 30, 2020 and June 3, 2020, shows a total of 2,082 Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded in our region.
Although the number of actual deaths are less than reported in some other regions, the rate of Covid-19 deaths is joint highest with the North-West of England.
Although it is welcome news for the North-East, Public Health England warn that it is 'vital' for everyone to continue with social distancing measures as lockdown measures are eased in stages.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, PHE medical director, said: “Our estimates show that the regional R numbers have increased although they remain below one for most of England – this is to be expected as we gradually move out of lockdown.
“It is vital that everyone continues with social distancing, practising good hand hygiene and must remain at home and order a test if they have symptoms.”
Earlier this week, Dr Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said that a second wave is inevitable if people fail to stick to social distancing rules.
In reference to lockdown rules being lifted, she warned: “People think it is over. Which it isn’t, which it definitely isn’t.”
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