A further 1,502 test positive for Covid in North-East and North Yorkshire

The Government said that, as of 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 12,872 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.

It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 603,716.

The Government also said a further 32 people across England had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Saturday.

This brings the UK total to 42,792.

Four deaths were reported across the North-East and North Yorkshire, including one person County Durham and Darlington NHS, one at person at Gateshead Foundation, one person at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS and one person at Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS

County Durham has seen a increase of 516 cases across 24-hours, the highest jump in the region.

Newcastle saw a increase of 190 and North Yorkshire 105.

The rise in cases comes as the North-East expected to face tougher lockdown restrictions this week, which could include the closure of hospitality venues.

The details of the new tiers, expected to be officially announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday, have been communicated to Northern political leaders and chief executives.

Here is a breakdown of the latest confirmed cases within the last 24 hours in the region:

County Durham: 7,057 was 6,541, an increase of 516

Darlington: 1,169 was 1,145, an increase of 24

Gateshead: 3,064 was 3010, an increase of 54

Hartlepool: 1,350 was 1,324, an increase of 26

Middlesbrough: 2,134, was 2,075, an increase of 59

Newcastle: 5,972 was 5,782 an increase of 190

North Tyneside: 2,568 was 2,492, an increase of 76

North Yorkshire: 4,964 was 4,859, an increase of 105

Northumberland: 3,670 was 3,580 , an increase of 90

Redcar and Cleveland: 1,373 was 1,337, an increase of 36

South Tyneside: 2,583 was 2,555 an increase of 28

Stockton: 2,309 was 2,240, an increase of 69

Sunderland: 4,642 was 4,561, an increase of 81

York: 2,032 was 1,884, an increase of 148

Total increase in North-East and North Yorkshire of 1502