ONE more death has been recorded and the number of coronavirus cases in Northumberland increased by 261, official figures show.

A total of 42,429 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in Northumberland when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on October 27 (Wednesday), up from 42,168 on Tuesday.

The rate of infection in Northumberland now stands at 13,103 cases per 100,000 people, lower than the England average of 13,376.

These latest figures come after Northumberland has seen an increase in coronavirus cases over the last month. 

UK Health Security Agency data shows 1,968 people tested in the week to October 21 were found to be positive – a 40% increase from 1,401 reported in the seven days to September 23.

The highest number of cases recorded in the week to October 21 were among youngsters aged 10 to 14 (379), followed by teenagers aged 15 to 19 (199) and children aged between five and nine (170).

n Northumberland, five deaths were recorded in the week to October 21, while there were seven in the seven days to September 23.

Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group which advises the Government, said case numbers and death rates are currently “unacceptable”.

He said measures such as working from home and mask-wearing are “so important” as part of efforts to control the spread of Covid.

Speaking in a personal capacity, Prof Openshaw, of Imperial College London, said: “We know that with public health measures the time to act is immediately. There’s no point in delaying.