A FURTHER nine coronavirus-related deaths have been confirmed at Northumbria Healthcare hospitals.

NHS England data shows the death toll at the trust's hospitals now stands at 477. It comes after no deaths were reported for two consecutive days.

According to data from Public Health England, 105 new cases of Covid-19 have also been recorded in the county, with the total number since the start of the pandemic now totalling 12,945.

Meanwhile, Northumberland County Council figures up to January 12 show confirmed cases in the Tyne Valley are falling - though the district remains the worst-affected part of Northumberland.

A total of 623 new, positive cases of the virus were confirmed across the county in the last seven days, giving an infection rate of 194.5 per 100,000 residents.

Cases by council ward in the Hexham constituency: Hexham Central with Acomb (23), Haltwhistle (23), Prudhoe South (18), Prudhoe North (17), Hexham East (17), Humshaugh (16), Corbridge (15), South Tynedale (12), Stocksfield and Broomhaugh (10), Ponteland West (10), Ponteland North (9), Hexham West (9), Haydon and Hadrian (9) and Bellingham (5).