The UK has recorded a new highest daily increase of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.
It comes just one day after a record of new cases in a day was set on Monday with more than 41,000.
But now, as of Tuesday, December 29, government figures show that there has been a further 53,135 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 2,382,865.
Meanwhile, the government also said another 414 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday, bringing the UK's Covid death toll to 71,567.
However the figures for deaths and cases are likely to be higher due to discrepancies over the holiday period in reporting from the devolved nations.
NHS England said on Tuesday that a further 365 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 49,225.
Patients were aged between 26 and 101. All except 12, aged between 43 and 92, had known underlying health conditions.
The deaths were between December 12 and 28.
There were 11 other deaths reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.
In Wales, there have been a further 2,510 cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 144,425.
Public Health Wales reported on Tuesday that another 33 deaths, taking the total in Wales since the start of the pandemic to 3,416.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 1,895 Covid-19 cases were recorded on Tuesday in Scotland – the highest daily number recorded.
Dr Susan Hopkins, senior medical adviser for Public Health England, said the “unprecedented levels” of Covid-19 infection across the UK was of “extreme concern”.
“Whilst the number of cases reported today include some from over the festive period, these figures are largely a reflection of a real increase,” she said.
“It is essential, now more than ever, that we continue to work together to stop the spread of the virus, bring the rate of infection down and protect the most vulnerable and the NHS.
“A critical part of this is each and every one of us abiding by the restrictions in place however hard it may seem at this time of the year.
“It is critical that we reduce our contacts, especially mixing between households. We must observe the basic measures — wash your hands, wear a mask and keep your distance from others.”
