There have been a further 144 coronavirus deaths in the UK and an additional 18,447 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours.
It takes the total number of fatalities within 28 days of a positive test to 64,170 and the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 1,849,403.
Last Sunday the death toll rose by 231 with another 17,272 cases across the UK.
The UK's true death toll is thought to be much higher as 75,092 deaths have so far been registered where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, according to the latest reports from Britain's statistics agencies.
The news comes as the government confirmed that controversial Christmas bubbles will go ahead in spite of scientists warning of a "disaster".
The government has faced calls for a rethink after announcing a five day window, during which up to three households will be allowed to mix indoors in England.
It means families will be able to hug each other for the first time in months - but it will come at a high price, NHS chiefs warn.
Earlier today Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said he had written an urgent letter to Boris Johnson warning any relaxation may “trigger a third wave”.
The body, which represents all hospital trusts in England, stopped short of demanding the five-day Christmas bubble system is reviewed now.
But Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said today that the Christmas rules were not being reviewed, despite calls for a U-turn.
He told Sophie Ridge on Sunday on Sky News: "It’s been a really tough year all round everyone’s felt it I think people do need that five day window over Christmas to spend a bit of time with their loved ones.
"I think at a mental health level and an emotional level they do need it."
Mr Hopson told Sky News: "We’re not calling at this point for the regulations to change, but that’s something I think we’re going to need to look at over the next few days."
Wales' First Minister this week revealed ministers had met to discuss whether to change Christmas rules but decided not to.
Ministers are planning to review England’s lockdown tiers on Wednesday but the relaxation of rules will happen between December 23 and 27.
A Government spokeswoman said ministers will not "hesitate to take necessary actions to protect local communities" and that decisions are made based on the latest available data
Boris Johnson warned Tory members not to have a "big blowout" over Christmas, according to the Sun on Sunday.
“I know the rules say three households, but there is ample scope alas for further increases in this disease during the tough winter months," he said at a Conservative fundraiser.
