THE number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Northumberland doubled on Friday, with 45 postive tests now confirmed.

Public Health England said 22 people had tested postive within 24 hours - the highest increase in a single day.

There has been a total of 35 confirmed cases in the past week. 

Four people who were admitted to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington after testing positive to coronavirus have died. 

The Northumbria Healthcare Trust said all four patients were elderly and had underlying health conditions, including an 83-year-old man from Hexham.