The UK has reported a total of 336,893 new COVID-19 cases in the past seven days, according to government data, its highest weekly number of new cases of COVID since January.

Those cases include the 45,691 new cases reported on Tuesday.

The seven-day period since the week to January 16 saw 339,956 cases reported. Weekly cases during the second wave of the virus hit a high of 417,620, for the seven days to January 9.

Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also showed that 180 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19.

Tuesday's figures compare to 39,716 cases and 159 deaths this time last week.

Meanwhile, Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate there have been 171,000 deaths registered in the UK where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

19,979 more people received had a first vaccine dose in the last 24 hours, while another 25,012 received a second dose, and a further 329,165 had a booster or third dose.

This raised the respective totals to 51,138,245 first doses administered, 46,582,425 second doses administered and 20,909,809 third doses/booster shots administered.

(With input from agencies)