Britain has recorded 28,438 new COVID-19 cases and 26 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data.

The figures compare with 26,750 infections and 61 fatalities which were reported on Sunday, while this time last week 25,161 cases and 37 deaths were announced.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 130,979 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive COVID test and there have been 6,295,613 confirmed infections.

Some 31,257 people in the UK had their first dose of a COVID vaccine on Sunday, taking the total to 47,333,702 (89.5 percent of the adult population).

Also 126,383 had their second jab on Sunday, meaning 40,703,581 are now fully inoculated – 77 percent of UK adults.

Scientists advising the government have claimed COVID-related deaths and hospital admissions are expected to fall this month.

(With input from agencies)