The UK has recorded 203 more coronavirus-related deaths and 31,564 new cases in the latest 24-hour period, with the number of COVID patients in hospital now at 7,731.

The latest figures compare with 36,100 new cases and 49 coronavirus deaths reported on Monday.

This time last week, 26,628 cases and 185 deaths were recorded.

Since the start of the pandemic, 135,455 people have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

Meanwhile, another 24,684 people were given their first dose of a COVID vaccine on Monday, taking the total to 48,617,703 (89.4 percent of over-16s in the UK).

A further 46,451 people were given their second jab, meaning 44,512,572 are now fully inoculated (81.9 percent).

(With input from agencies)