The United Kingdom has recorded 191 more coronavirus-related deaths and 38,975 new infections in the latest 24-hour period.

In the last seven days, infection numbers have risen 15.3 percent on the week before, while the weekly death count is up 26.1 percent.

A total of 133,674 people have now died with coronavirus in the Kingdom, the official data showed.

Wednesday's daily government figures compare with 37,489 infections and 209 fatalities within 28 days of a positive test reported on Tuesday, and 35,847 cases and 149 deaths announced this time last week.

Tuesday's figures were the biggest daily increase in COVID-related deaths in six months, at a time when new infections are expected to rise further with children returning to school.

However, deaths are still lower than in previous waves of the pandemic, with nearly two-thirds of the UK population fully vaccinated.

Government data showed that of the 91,940,381 jabs given in the UK as of Tuesday, 48,319,435 were first doses, a rise of 26,624 on the previous day.

(With input from agencies)