"People have adjusted to that in Cornwall, they understand, but it is a very big contrast to when we were enjoying our freedoms and out in pubs and restaurants just in early December.
"We assume that the new variant has a part to play… but it's also Christmas mixing on top of that relaxation that compounded to increase the rates in Cornwall."
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Director of Public Health Cornwall Rachel Wigglesworth fears the county's one major hospital could be overwhelmed
The increase has led to hospital admissions for COVID-19 rising significantly - up from just four patients in early December, to 75 on the 14 January.