The UK has reported 27,334 new cases of coronavirus and a further 9 deaths in the latest 24-hour period.
This is up from last Monday where there were 22,484 reported new infections and three deaths.
The total number of people in the UK who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid now stands at 128,231.
Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 153,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Deaths have remained relatively flat for weeks, as older and highly vulnerable Britons were among the first to receive jabs to protect them against Covid.
The latest figures were revealed as a senior Government minister said life in England will “return to normality as far as possible” after July 19 as the country moves into the “final furlong” of coronavirus restrictions.
Reports suggest Boris Johnson will scrap social distancing requirements and make the wearing of face masks voluntary on so-called “Freedom Day”
It is said the one metre-plus rule in hospitality venues will end, meaning a return to drinking at the bar without the requirement for table service.
Customers will no longer be asked to scan QR codes at pubs and restaurants.
Mass events, including festivals, will also be allowed under the proposals for the final stage of the road map out of lockdown, according to reports.
An official announcement will be made at 5pm.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick appeared to all but confirm those reports as he said the impact of the vaccine on preventing serious illness meant it was time to “roll back” the “difficult” restrictions that have been in place for the past 16 months.
He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “It does look as if, thanks to the success of the vaccine programme, that we now have the scope to roll back those restrictions and return to normality as far as possible.”
Mr Jenrick said that, although cases were rising, they had not translated into “serious illness and death”, allowing the Government to be “positive” about unlocking on July 19.
Mr Jenrick – who pledged to get rid of his face covering when permitted – said the “State won’t be telling you what to do” as ministers look to move from legal enforcement to personal choice, with people exercising their own judgment on whether or not to carry on wearing masks.
But Care minister Helen Whately said she is braced for cases to spike months after 'Freedom Day'.
She refused to guarantee the end of lockdown rules will be "irreversible", as the Prime Minister repeatedly said.
That indicates some restrictions could return if needed this winter, as cold wet weather helps the virus to spread.
Asked if the so-called Freedom Day will truly be "irreversible", she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There’s no question, of course we should keep on watching the data.
"One thing I’m doing as care minister is looking ahead to the winter, where we can anticipate we may get a surge in Covid again because that’s the thing that happens with this kind of virus.
"We are also likely to see flu again this winter and particularly this winter because we didn’t have much flu around last winter.
"That’s why the booster programme for Covid and people getting their flu vaccination is going to be so important."
