The number of daily coronavirus hospital deaths has risen by 578 - following a rise in infection rates across 10 areas of England.
England recorded 494 new deaths, while Wales recorded 27, Scotland 48 and Northern Ireland recorded 9 in the last 24 hours.
Today's figures follow a total of 1,001 people who died yesterday with the virus - the lowest Wednesday death rate so far in 2021.
The last time fewer people died on a Wednesday of Covid in the UK was on December 30, when 981 lives were lost.
While latest figures show the nation's smallest county still has the highest coronavirus rate in England due to an outbreak inside a jail.
In the last seven days to February 6 Rutland in the East Midlands recorded 194 new cases which is the equivalent of 518.4 cases per 100,000 people.
The rate has more than doubled from 200.4 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to January 30.
Rutland’s small population means a confirmed outbreak at Stocken Prison in Stretton has led to the surge in figures.
The jail accommodates 950 male prisoners with local MP Alicia Kearn saying around half of all cases in the county could be attributed to the prison.
In a bid to keep numbers low, and to stop as many mutant strains coming into the country as possible, the government announced strict new border controls this week.
People travelling from 'red zone' countries to the UK will have to pay £1,750 to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.
Those who break the rules face an eye watering ten years in prison - a harsh punishment which has raised some eyebrows.
Senior Conservative Sir Charles Walker said Health Secretary Matt Hancock's move to impose the sentences on those who lie about visiting "red list" countries is "utterly ridiculous".
The vice chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs told Sky News: "Are we really going to lock people up for 10 years for being dishonest about the fact that they've been to Portugal?
"By all means give them a fine, give them a hefty fine, a few thousand pounds.
"Are you really seriously suggesting, Secretary of State, that we've got enough prison capacity to start locking up 19-year-old silly kids for 10 years?
"What a stupid thing to say, I mean a really stupid thing to say, that demeans his office and his position around the Cabinet table."
