THE coronavirus infection rate in Northumberland has continued to fall as the county emerges from the second lockdown.

While the North-East remains in the highest tier of restrictions, the latest figures would suggest the measures are having an effect.

According to figures provided by Northumberland County Council, the rate of infection in the county has fallen to 152.68 cases in the week beginning November 30 - down from 170.17 cases the previous week.

However, the figures also showed that the Haltwhistle ward had seen 52 confirmed cases in those seven days - the highest of any ward in the county.

NHS England data also revealed that the number of people who died at Northumbria Healthcare hospitals has decreased in the past week.

A total of 21 people died at the trust's hospitals from COVID-19 in the last seven days, compared to 34 the previous week.