The U.K. has reported 35,204 new coronavirus cases of the Delta variant first identified in India in the latest week, marking a 46 percent increase, Public Health England (PHE) said Friday.

The total number of confirmed cases of the variant now stands at 111,157, according to the PHE.

The Delta variant now comprises 95 percent of all sequenced cases, the PHE added. Last week, it made up 99 percent of new COVID-19 cases across the U.K.

Meanwhile, the PHE said the current vaccines continue to have a "crucial effect on hospital admission and death", adding there is currently no evidence that this new variant causes more severe disease or renders vaccines less effective.

A total of 117 people has died in England having the Delta variant, eight of which were people under the age of 50, according to the PHE.

Six of these eight people were unvaccinated, while two died after more than 21 days of receiving a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said though the data suggested "we have begun to break the link between cases and hospitalizations", she warned against complacency.

She urged Britons to get vaccinated and book their second jabs as soon as possible.

"Whilst vaccines provide excellent protection, they do not provide total protection, so it is still as important as ever that we continue to exercise caution," she said.

"Protect yourself and the people around you by working from home where possible, and by practicing 'hands, face, space, fresh air' at all times."

The U.K. has reported another 16,703 coronavirus cases in the 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,684,572, according to official figures released Thursday.

More than 43.6 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine while nearly 32 million people have been fully vaccinated with a second dose, according to the latest official figures.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a four-week delay to the final step of England's roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions until July 19, amid a surge in cases of the Delta variant.

Recent data published by the PHE showed the AstraZeneca vaccine is 92 percent effective against hospitalization from the Delta variant after two doses, and the Pfizer vaccine is 96 percent effective against hospitalization after two doses.

Experts have warned that coronavirus may continue to evolve for years to come, and eventually it is likely current vaccines will fail to protect against transmission, infection, or even disease caused by newer variants.