Staffordshire's coronavirus infection rate has overtaken Stoke-on-Trent's for the first time as a mutant strain spreads north.
Both council areas have today moved into the toughest Tier 4 restrictions despite the number of cases being lower than the national average.
North Staffordshire has thus far bucked the national trend of increasing Covid-19 infections over the festive period.
However, the south of the county is now seeing cases rise with Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire and East Staffordshire badly affected.
It means Staffordshire as a whole has surged above Stoke-on-Trent - one of the country's hotspots just a few weeks ago - on the list of worst-hit areas.
Fears remain that the Potteries may see a spike in the New Year but it is hoped the tougher rules will avoid this.
The latest infection rates for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire up to December 27 are:
- Stoke-on-Trent - 241.1 per 100,000
- Staffordshire as a whole - 281.2 per 100,000
- Newcastle borough - 229.4 per 100,000
- Stafford borough - 258.6 per 100,000
- Staffordshire Moorlands - 220.5 per 100,000
- East Staffordshire - 364.9 per 100,000
- Cannock Chase - 330.5 per 100,000
- South Staffordshire - 348.6 per 100,000
- Tamworth - 199.5 per 100,000
- Lichfield - 275.9 per 100,000
City council leader Abi Brown admitted she was 'hugely disappointed' to see the Potteries move into Tier 4 after working hard to bring down cases with mass testing.
However, she added: "If we all pull together and remember to follow the guidance we will get through this."
Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, the city's top health boss, said he was pleased with the progress that had been made in recent weeks.
He added: “As a local authority we are doing everything in our power to continue to bring the number of cases down and entering Tier 4 restrictions will enable us to slow the transmission.
"Residents have done a fantastic job over the past few weeks to bring the case numbers down.
"We now need to build on your immense efforts and continue to act in a really sensible way so we can get back more of the freedoms under the lower tiers.
"The best way to do this is for everyone to follow the rules and get tested as necessary."
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Under Tier 4, people must stay at home at all times unless they have a 'reasonable excuse', such as work or education, while non-essential shops have to close, along with hairdressers, barbers and gyms.
Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s leader, said: "This is not where any of us wanted to be and the priority for 2021 is to get cases back under control and persuade the Government that restrictions can be eased in Staffordshire."
What are the Tier 4 rules in England?
The Tier 4 rules will be essentially the same as the blanket lockdown that England was under in November.
- Stay at home. You must not leave your home unless you have a 'reasonable excuse' such as work, education, essential shopping or medical appointments
- In general, you must not meet socially. However, you can exercise or meet in a public outdoor place with people you live with, your support bubble or with one other person
- You must not meet indoors socially with any other household, unless part of your support bubble
- Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised not to work if they cannot work from home
- All shops deemed non-essential by the Government must close
- Hairdressers and barbers must close
Indoor entertainment venues must close
Gyms and indoor swimming pools, indoor sports courts and dance studios must close
