A further 26,068 Covid-19 cases has been recorded in Britain, the highest daily figure since 29 January and sending the seven day-tally up 70% on the week before, according to official data.
Despite the surge in new infections, Britain's daily fatality figures have remained in low double digits. Fourteen deaths were reported today, down from 23 the day before.
That compares with the more than 1,000 fatalities that were repeatedly reported per day at the height of Britain's worst wave in the pandemic, in January this year.
Scientists have said the trend suggests the rapid vaccine rollout has weakened the link between infections and deaths. The seven-day tally for people being admitted to hospital was up 6%, to a daily figure of 263.