The U.K. recorded 26,860 new COVID-19 infections in the 24 hours leading to Saturday as the country continues to see a steady rise in its caseload.

Health authorities also reported 462 new COVID-19-related deaths.

The U.K. is one of the hardest-hit countries by the pandemic globally, having reported a caseload surpassing the 1.32 million mark with over 51,000 total deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

According to figures published by the health department, the country saw a 9.1 percent increase in new infections in the past seven days compared to the tally recorded in the week before.

There was also a 26 percent increase in the number of deaths in the last week when compared to the fatalities registered the week before.

More patients were also admitted in the past week, compared to the previous seven days. The department recorded a 6.3 percent spike.