Covid-19 claimed the lives of at least five people in each of Newcastle and Gateshead last week.
At a meeting of the Newcastle Gateshead NHS CCG governing body, Jackie Cairns and Lynn Wilson - directors looking after each side of the Tyne - told top NHS figures how, though the official data shows steep falls in Covid-19 prevalence and drops in hospitalisations, this does not mean that people have stopped becoming seriously ill and even dying with the virus.
Ms Cairns, who has responsibility for Newcastle, said: "We have had five deaths. and we have six care homes still in outbreak. Newcastle Hospitals is still reporting pressure there too. They still have staff sickness. Vaccine supply is also difficult at the moment. It's there, it's available, but it's making sure it's getting into the right place for the right people."
