Milton Keynes Hospital have "more patients with COVID-19 now than ever before", with the coronavirus situation in Milton Keynes having "deteriorated" over the past few days, according to the Council Leader.
Cllr Marland said that Milton Keynes Hospital are "working flat out on top of their usual winter schedule"
"The number of cases, the speed at which the the virus is spreading and the number of people in our Hospital are all within a concerning range."
But he added that schools across Milton Keynes will not be told to close early for the Christmas break.
It comes as local councils in Greenwich and Islington advised that teaching in those areas will move online for the final week before Christmas.
Cllr Marland said that the "lack of notice and preparation for an alternative way of teaching means we have very strong concerns that a 'one size fits all' approach wouldn't work and may lead to more problems than it solves."
However, he has said the Council will take a "flexible approach" on a school-by-school basis if alternative arrangements are requested by a school.
Overall cases across the area have risen by half since one week ago, with the number of cases in our city now standing at 216 per 100,000 people.
"Our view is there is now a strong possibility that when the review of COVID tiers takes place, Milton Keynes will be placed into Tier 3 restrictions."
Cllr Marland said the main way the virus is spreading is "through general community transmission" and that trying to "reduce your social contact with people outside your household or support bubble is the best way to reduce the spread of the virus".
"Stay home if you can, and remember hands, face and space."
Residents were also urged to get a test if they have any symptoms but he added that "testing only works if when a positive test result is identified, people self-isolate to break the chain of transmission."
"If you have a positive test, live with someone who has a positive test or are asked to self-isolate, you must do so for ten days. Getting a negative test when you're in of these groups doesn't stop the legal requirement to self-isolate."
He concluded by adding that we "can all make a difference" in controlling the spread of the virus.
