Leeds residents have been warned there will be "no alternative" to local lockdown restrictions if coronavirus infection rates continue to rise.
The city is expected to be added to Public Health England’s weekly watch list of areas of concern, following a rise in cases over the previous weeks.
The latest seven-day infection rate shows Leeds as having 29.4 cases per 100,000 people, with 44 new cases today identified on Wednesday and a testing positivity rate of 4.2 per cent.
The city council said that while being on the list would not mean further restrictions would be brought in at this stage, it would mean increased monitoring of cases and could see additional steps taken in the future.
Council leader and chair of the outbreak control board, Judith Blake, said: "This is a pivotal moment in our efforts to control the spread of the virus in Leeds and to keep our city open.
"Nobody wants to see further restrictions on life in Leeds and we want to assure everyone that we’re doing absolutely everything within our power to avoid that happening.
"But the harsh reality is that if our infection rate continues to rise as it has been, we will be left with no alternative."
She added: "With that in mind, now more than ever we need a collective effort from the people of Leeds who have shown so much resilience and civic pride throughout this crisis.
"It’s up to us all to keep our families, friends and neighbours safe and to play our part in keeping Leeds’s recovery going.”
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The council has reminded people to isolate if anyone in their household is showing coronavirus symptoms, to keep social distancing, wear a face covering and to wash hands regularly.
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said: “It’s imperative that we do all we can to contain the spread of this virus and protect one another at this crucial time for the city."
Elsewhere in the UK, the mayor of Middlesbrough said the area's coronavirus infection rate of around 35 per 100,000 people was "concerning".
Extra testing will be brought in to monitor the situation, Andy Preston announced, after warning local people that they must adhere to the social distancing rules or face the threat of Government-imposed local lockdown.
Mr Preston was speaking after the council was informed of five new positive Covid-19 cases on Thursday, down from 14 on Wednesday, 12 on Tuesday and seven on Monday.
The mayor said: "Our infection rate per 100k of population is now around 35 and that is concerning.
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"We need to keep a tight grip on the virus to stop it damaging people’s health and causing havoc with people’s jobs.”
Council officials and fire officers have been out inspecting licensed premises to check they are operating safely.
This follows around 30 tip-offs being made by the public highlighting concerns they have about poor social distancing.
Mr Preston said: "This is a clear message to any businesses that are flouting the rules.
"The public will be our eyes and ears and we will act on their concerns."