Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the daily rise in coronavirus cases on Sunday is "concerning".
Almost 3,000 new coronavirus cases were reported in the UK on September 6, marking the highest daily jump in figures since May.
2,988 new cases were recorded yesterday, while on Saturday, there were 1,813 positive cases announced, which makes it the biggest single day jump since May 23.
Mr Hancock told LBC: "The rise in the number of cases we have seen in the last few days is concerning.
"It is concerning because we have seen a rise in cases in France, in Spain, in some other countries across Europe - nobody wants to see a second wave here.
"It just reinforces the point that people must follow the social distancing rules, they are so important."
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When asked if people were not following the rules he added: "We certainly see cases where they are not, and then we take action."
He said many cases in Bolton were linked to a single pub which has been asked to close.
The Health Secretary's comments come as Liverpool experiences a spike in coronavirus cases.
There has been an increase in new cases in Wirral, Knowsley and Sefton as well.
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In the most recent seven-day period of data (August 29 to September 4) Liverpool registered 133 new cases of the deadly virus.
This sudden rise was powered by a spike of 80 new confirmed cases in just three days between September 2 and 4 - which will be a major concern to health chiefs in the city.
