The United Kingdom has recorded 21,952 new COVID-19 cases and 24 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data.

The figures compare with 24,470 infections and 65 fatalities reported yesterday, and 24,950 cases and 14 deaths announced this time last week.

The seven-day average for infections is 27 percent down from the previous week, while fatalities are up by 20.2 percent.

According to the latest data, 912 COVID patients were admitted to hospital on 27 July and there were 6,326 admissions in the last seven days - a weekly rise of 14.8 percent.

Since the pandemic began, there have been a total of 5,902,354 coronavirus cases in the Kingdom, and 129,743 people have died within 28 days of positive COVID test.

Meanwhile, 21,266 people had their first dose of a coronavirus jab in the UK on Sunday, taking the total to 46,872,411.

(With input from agencies)