Increasing cases among all age groups nationwide, rocketing unemployment levels and strict local measures being imposed in different areas across the country - but what does it all mean for our region?

Here we break down the current status of the ever-changing situation surrounding coronavirus and what it means for Hull and East Yorkshire.

Although circumstances can change seemingly by the hour, we provide answers to the questions that need answering: about current case numbers, regional and national comparisons, testing, schools and unemployment.

With our neighbours in North Yorkshire declaring a major incident on Wednesday following "a surge" in coronavirus cases in the past fortnight, it is vital that we remain alert and aware of what might happen if our region suffers a similar Covid-19 spike.

It was also announced by Matt Hancock on Thursday that parts of the north east have had lockdown measures reimposed, including 10pm curfews on pubs and restaurants, and visiting other homes.

Mr Hancock confirmed local lockdown restrictions will be introduced after midnight on Friday in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham.

But what does all this mean for Hull and East Yorkshire?

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What do the current figures look like?

That depends where you look.

As of 4pm on Thursday, September 17, Hull has recorded a total of 1,675 cases, a rise of three from the day before. Meanwhile, the East Riding increased by four to 1,828.

In the three days from Sunday, September 13 to Wednesday, September 16, six new cases were recorded in Hull.

In the East Riding, meanwhile, over the same time period, 40 new cases were reported.

Although the region has a slightly larger population than the city, those numbers expressed per 100,000 people tell the same story - a rate of 2.3 for Hull over those three days, but a rate of 11.8 for the East Riding.

And the weekly figures tell a similar story, with another 59 cases recorded in the East Riding between September 6 and September 13, increasing the weekly rate of new cases per 100,000 people from 10.9 to 17.4, while the rate in Hull has remained more constant.

On Thursday, a coronavirus related death was confirmed for Hull and East Yorkshire, bringing the region's death toll to 210.

Watch: The latest number of deaths and cases

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How do we compare with the rest of the country?

The recent spike in cases nationwide is well documented, with another 3,991 cases reported nationwide on Wednesday - daily figures not seen since early May.

It meant the national weekly rate of new cases nationwide has continued to climb to 32.2.

Hull City Council reported on Wednesday that the latest seven-day rate for Hull was 15.3 per 100,000 people which, despite being an increase on recent weeks, is still far below the national average.

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Coronavirus "hotspots" also have much higher incidence rates per 100,000 of the population, including rates of 121.9 in Bolton and 72.2 in Bradford.

Although rates in the East Riding are also lower than the national average, there is concern that those recent figures could continue to climb towards the "amber" threshhold of 25 new weekly cases per 100,000 people.

Could we have a local lockdown?

While the rate in Hull has remained consistently low relative to the rest of the country, the East Riding could become an "area of concern" if the rates do continue to rise beyond that threshhold.

If that happened, the region could be added to the Government's coronavirus watchlist, released in its weekly surveillance report every Friday.

But that would not necessarily mean the imposition of an immediate full local lockdown.

Regions that see cases rise sharply - but not yet to dangerous levels - are identified as "areas of concern", meaning they can receive extra support to prevent the numbers from climbing any higher.

It is only if those numbers continue to increase that the authorities can intervene and impose stricter measures like prohibiting households from mixing or imposing curfews on restaurants and pubs to keep the virus at bay.

Is a 'second wave' coming?

Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, has said this week that a “second wave” is already here and has led to a surge in demand for tests.

Indeed, just a simple look at the recent increase in cases could suggest that a "second wave" is imminent, especially heading into winter.

But some officials have hesitated in calling the latest rise a "second wave", instead saying the resurgence is the inevitable consequence of reopening pubs, restaurants, gyms and schools.

In a press conference on July 31, chief medical officer Chris Whitty said we had "probably reached the limits of what we can do in terms of opening up society" while the virus was still a threat.

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What is going on in our schools?

Many of our schools have already been hit by problems caused by coronavirus.

Within the first week back, Bishop Burton College near Beverley was informed by a staff member they had tested positive for the virus.

Watch: What schools must do if a pupil or staff member tests positive

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On the first day of the second week back to school on Monday, September 14, Quay Academy in Bridlington was the first primary school to report a case, which prompted a full year group being sent home.

The following day, Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College became the first secondary school to confirm a case which saw 271 pupils enter isolation for 14 days.

What is the current situation with testing?

The Government has faced significant criticism of its 'world-beating' testing system recently after people reported difficulties getting tests, included being offered slots at centres huge distances away.

In Hull and East Yorkshire, testing centres have stood empty in recent days while some people with Covid-19 symptoms could not access tests.

Courtney Palmer is awaiting her coronavirus test results having been given a test without booking in advance

Bransholme woman Courtney Palmer, 22, recently took the situation into her own hands when she was told her nearest available test was 66 miles away in Chesterfield.

The Government has recently hit back at that criticism, saying only those that need a test - people with symptoms, for example - should get one and adding that the UK has performed more tests than any other country in Europe and more tests per head than France, Germany and Spain.

What will happen when furlough ends?

There is widespread concern over the seemingly inevitable tidal wave of unemployment that will hit when the furlough scheme ends after October, with the country's unemployment rate already hitting its highest level in two years.

Young people have been hit particularly hard, with those aged 16 to 24 suffering the biggest drop in employment compared with other age groups.

The furlough scheme has been gradually winding down since the end of July, with companies having to pay more and more of their furloughed employees' wages since then.

While some companies have already let workers go who they can no longer afford to employ, the full scale of the economic impact may not be seen for many months.

When will all this be over?

There are positive noises coming out of the trials being run by vaccine developers Oxford and AstraZeneca, who are believed to be developing one of the strongest contenders for a global vaccine out of dozens currently being tested worldwide.

But that could still be months away, and we are yet to see the complications that will inevitably come with the large-scale roll out of any vaccine.

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In August, the head of the World Health Organisation Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he hoped the pandemic would be over within two years, citing a similar time frame for the Spanish flu of 1918.

In any case, accepting that coronavirus is something we will all have to live with for many months yet is crucial to ensuring we protect our mental and physical wellbeing until it is all finally over.