The United Kingdom has recorded 39,906 new COVID-19 cases and 84 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data.

The figures compare with 44,104 new infections and 73 fatalities announced on Wednesday, and 48,553 cases and 63 deaths which were reported this time last week.

Since the pandemic began, a total of 128,980 people in the UK have died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19.

Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 154,000 deaths registered in the UK where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate.

Some 45,101 people had their first jab yesterday, meaning that 46,433,845 have now received at least one COVID vaccine dose in the Kingdom.

Another 183,338 people had their second jab, bringing the total number of those now fully inoculated against coronavirus to 36,587,904.

According to the most recent data, 788 COVID patients were admitted to hospital on 18 July and 5,175 were admitted in the last seven days - a 31.1 percent weekly rise.

(With input from agencies)