The second wave of coronavirus is hitting Cumbria, the county's director of public health has warned.

Numbers are continuing to rise throughout Cumbria, including in Copeland, which although below the national average has seen 72 new cases according to Public Health England data published at 5.29pm on Monday, October 26.

Colin Cox said: “We’re very much at the beginning of a second wave at the moment and this is exactly what we’re trying to reduce at the moment.

“We’re working hard to make sure that we’re as prepared as we can be for the coming months.”

He said the situation on the west coast, including Copeland and Allerdale, was better than the England average, “and we’re not currently contemplating further measures there.”

But he said the advice was still for people not to socialise in groups of more than two households in addition to the national rule of six.

“This will really help to keep numbers down and prevent further lockdown. “

He said Barrow, while still above the national average for infections, was stabilising.

“The situation in Carlisle is not so positive – rates have been rising quickly and are now higher than the national average," he added. "We are keeping this under close review to determine whether there would be any benefit to elevating to tier two in Carlisle, and are discussing this with Government at the moment."