People should not bend the rules to get round coronavirus restrictions, or Norfolk's efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19 will be undermined, health chiefs have warned.
While rates of coronavirus in Norfolk have fallen, concern remains that cases in over 60s have increased slightly, while there have been increases in North Norfolk and Broadland.
And, with Norfolk now in Tier 2, with tougher restrictions than before national lockdown, the county's deputy public health director said people needed to be cautious and not look for ways to get round restrictions.
At a press conference on Thursday, Diane Steiner, the county's deputy director of public health, said people should not push the boundaries in the run-up to Christmas - amid rumours some people are planning work Christmas parties under the auspices of business meetings.
She said: "I think everybody is looking forward to Christmas, but it will be a different kind of Christmas. We can still enjoy Christmas.
"In terms of works parties, for example, I think we can all need to bear in mind that the restrictions in place aren't there as a boundary to push, but something to provide us with the guidance of what we need to do to help Norfolk and to help our co-workers and our families.
"I would encourage people to bear that in mind and if they are getting together, to get together in smaller numbers - we know that the rule of six applies outdoors.
"And to think about having any kind of event outdoors, because we know that mixing households indoors, whether at home, in shops or in restaurants, is not within the Tier 2 restrictions.
"I think we all just need to use some common sense and consider ways we can keep the transmission down whilst still keeping up relationships with co-workers and friends."
Covid-19 rate falls in Norfolk, but rises in North Norfolk and Broadland
Over the past seven days, the Norfolk coronavirus rate has dropped from 112 positive cases per 100,000 people up to November 20 to 94 cases per 100,000 people.
That was described as "encouraging" by council leader Andrew Proctor, while Ms Steiner said the statistics showed the national lockdown had been working.
But rates have gone up in North Norfolk, from 68 to 85 cases per 100,000 and Broadland, up from 90 to 125. It means Broadland now has the highest rate in Norfolk, above the 122 per 100,000 in Norwich.
North Walsham saw 44 cases between November 21 to 27.
Ms Steiner said: "In North Norfolk, we can link a key driver to that rise to specific situations. I won't get into the details here.
"In Broadland, we can also link some of the rise to known situations, but also there's wider transmission in the community.
"I should say that both areas remain below the national average and we're closely monitoring that data.
"We're working with our district colleagues to try to bring those numbers down and we would expect to see those numbers come down, particularly in North Norfolk, in the coming days."
Other rates per 100,000 people are: Breckland 62 (down from 79), Great Yarmouth 74 (down from 106), King's Lynn and West Norfolk 86 (down from 145) and South Norfolk 99 (down from 152).
Cases in hospitals, care homes and schools
Thirteen of the 182 patients with coronavirus in Norfolk and Waveney's hospitals are in intensive care.
There are outbreaks (defined as two cases or more) in 55 care homes, one fewer than last week, in 25 schools (up three on last week) and in 24 businesses (up two on last week).
Shopping and getting into Tier 1
With non-essential shops having re-opened, council leader Andrew Proctor said it was essential for the economy that people used them.
But he stressed it was equally essential that people did so safely. He said: "Get out to the shops, please do. That's essential for the economic recovery side, but it it's also essential that people follow the guidelines.
"So, if you're in a shop, wear a face covering, please keep social distancing as well. Everything we are trying to do is to to move towards giving us the best chance of moving from Tier 2 to Tier 1."
Ms Steiner said: "Regardless of what tier we in, we need to maintain our vigilance around transmitting the virus."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here