Households and businesses are bracing for further local lockdowns as a new list shows the 48 areas where coronavirus cases risk spiralling out of control.
Ten million people are now living under restrictions after the North East was yesterday hit with new curbs, sparking fears pubs and restaurants that had just started to get back on their feet could face financial ruin.
And the threat of lockdowns loomed over Leeds and several London boroughs where infection rates are rising. There were 3,395 new cases recorded in the UK yesterday.
Ministers and public health officials are battling to control the disease while encouraging workers back to offices and as kids return to schools.