A FURTHER 17 coronavirus deaths have been confirmed at Northumbria Healthcare hospitals.

NHS England figures show the death toll at the trust's hospitals now stands at 540. It comes after no deaths were recorded for two consecutive days.

Meanwhile, a further 68 new, positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the county yesterday (Tuesday) - taking the total since the start of the pandemic, in March, to 14,547 according to Public Health England figures.

The Tyne Valley is no longer the worst-affected area in Northumberland, with only Hexham East listed as in the top 5.

Northumberland County Council data up to January 24, shows 707 cases were reported from January 18 to 24, with an infection rate of 220.7 per 100,000 residents.

Cases by council ward in the Hexham constituency:

Hexham East: 45

Prudhoe South: 16

Hexham Central with Acomb: 16

Bywell: 13

Humshaugh: 12

Hexham West: 11

Haltwhistle: 11

Prudhoe North: 10

Ponteland North: 10

South Tynedale: 8

Ponteland West: 8

Stocksfield and Broomhaugh: 7

Ponteland East and Stannington: 7

Corbridge: 7

Haydon and Hadrian: 5

Bellingham: 5

Yesterday (Tuesday), the death toll nationally reached 100,000.