The UK on Saturday reported 30,301 new COVID-19 cases and 121 more deaths in the latest 24-hour period, government data showed.

The figures represent a decline from Friday’s figures of 35,577 new COVID-19 cases and 127 deaths, but are an increase from the 27,798 cases and 108 deaths reported a week ago.

So far, the UK has reported a total of 7,871,014 confirmed cases and 136,910 deaths since the pandemic began.

The data also revealed that 768 people were currently admitted in hospital with the virus, with 6,733 patients currently in hospital, out of which 815 are in ventilation beds.

48,901,277 first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered after 37,787 more first doses were given in the latest 24-hour period.

A further 33,638 people received a second dose, meaning a total of 44,935,470 people are now fully vaccinated.

Care home staff have been urged by the government to receive both vaccine doses before a deadline on November 11.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he will not extend the deadline to allow more workers to get the second dose.

(With input from agencies)