More than 37 million people, or more than 70 percent of adults in Britain, have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to latest official figures.

264,858 people received their first inoculations across the UK on Wednesday, taking the total to 37,250,363.

Additionally, a further 369,018 people honoured their follow-up appointment to take the number of persons fully vaccinated to 21,239,471.

Meanwhile, 2,874 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,455,221.

Officials also reported another seven coronavirus-related deaths taking the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the country to 127,701. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

The news comes in the wake of a British government advisory scientist warning that the COVID-19 variant first detected in India could drive another wave in the UK.

"The virus just got faster," Andrew Hayward, a professor from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), told the BBC, indicating that the UK could be at start of a third wave of infections.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, the UK is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new COVID-19 variants, particularly those that first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India.

(With input from agencies)