Cumbria could move into Tier 4 of the coronavirus restrictions.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to address the House of Commons later on this afternoon and it is expected he will add more areas of the country to Tier 4 as infection rates rise across England.
National media outlets are speculating Cumbria could be among the areas named, as its COVID-19 cases have risen sharply, and has seen outbreaks of the new strain of the virus.
The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Cumbria increased by 335 over the 24 hours from Monday to Tuesday.
However, the rate of infection in Cumbria stands at 2,692 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 3,637.
Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 53,135 over the period to 2,382,865.
In the days leading up to Christmas, it was rumoured that Cumbria would be placed into Tier 4 from Boxing Day in an announcement by Mr Hancock.
However, it was not among the areas – mostly in the South East and South West – placed into Tier 4.
