The UK on Sunday reported 40,004 new COVID-19 cases and 61 more related deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to government data.

The number of confirmed cases on Sunday is 937 fewer than Saturday's figure, but 3,487 more than last Sunday's figure (36,517).

The number of deaths is fewer than the 150 reported on Saturday and the 63 reported last Sunday.

According to the government's COVID-19 dashboard, cases are up 9.4 percent in the last week while deaths are down 5.9 percent.

The UK has now reported a total of 9,845,492 confirmed cases and 143,927 deaths.

24,994 people received a firs dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 23,381 others received a second dose pushing the respective totals to 50,759,550 and 46,152,913.

Meanwhile, 450,080 people received a third dose of a vaccine taking the total past the 15 million mark to 15,064,693. More than a quarter (26.2 percent) has received of the population aged 12 and over has received a booster shot.

Elsewhere, Health secretary Sajid Javid ruled out mandatory vaccines for the general population in the UK in the wake of protests against them in Europe.

Europe is currently fighting a new wave of infections and a number of countries have tightened restrictions despite high levels of vaccination.

(With input from agencies)