However, Health Minister Edward Argar has played down the reports.
He told Sky News: ”It is not something I have seen within the department.
“The Prime Minister has been very clear on this. He doesn’t want to see another national lockdown.
“He wants to see people abiding by the regulations and making the local lockdowns work.”
He added: ”In the North East we are seeing a spike in infections.
“It is exactly what we have seen in the North West. We monitor that rate. Where we need to, we step in and take action.”
