This compares to 127 deaths and 36,060 infections, which were recorded yesterday.

The latest daily update shows cases have risen 5.2% in a week, while deaths have decreased 1.2%.

Another 30,944 first jabs have been administered, taking the total to 49,132,678.

A further 28,404 have been distributed too, taking the total number of people fully vaccinated to 45,135,589.

The government’s COVID-19 dashboard now shows 85.4% of the population aged 12 and over has had a first vaccine dose, with 78.5% double-jabbed.