The UK has recorded 28,612 fresh Covid cases and 103 new deaths in the last 24 hours.
The infection rate is 10% up from last Saturday when there were 25,870 new cases.
However a week ago the UK recorded a lower number of deaths with 71 fatalities reported.
Infections had fallen for six days in a row up to Tuesday of this week, according to Public Health England data.
But they have since increased on every day - topping 30,000 for the first time since last month on Thursday.
The news comes as it has been revealed that the Government has put "contingency plans" for further lockdowns in place in case the NHS becomes overrun with new cases.
Social distancing rules could be reinforced over winter if doctors and nurses are put under pressure.
A source told the i that ministers and experts remain confident that the vaccine roll-out has broken the back of the pandemic.
But they said that Boris Johnson has authorised planning for a "firebreak" lockdown, for if the situation worsens.
It is thought that a staffing crisis within the NHS and the rise of other diseases - previously beaten back by Covid restrictions - could hamper the health service, along with the potential rise of a vaccine-beating strain.
But a government advisor told the outlet: "Should more lockdowns be necessary, the plan is for them to be short, and preferably during the school holidays in late October and over Christmas.
"Firebreaks rather than lasting for months at a time."
No.10 confirmed contingency plans were in place and did not rule out the prospect of further lockdowns.
A spokesperson said: "As a responsible Government, we have to be prepared to respond to unexpected events as the country learns to live with Covid-19.
"As part of our strategy to manage the virus, it is both right and sensible that we maintain contingency plans for reimposing restrictions at a local, regional or national level if evidence suggests they are necessary.
"As set out in guidance, we will continue to monitor the data on a regular basis to ensure there is no danger of the NHS facing unsustainable pressure."
Healthy 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK are now being offered the Covid jab.
Walk-ins became open to older teenagers in Northern Ireland from Friday, just two days after it was announced the vaccine rollout was being extended to 16 and 17-year-olds.
Pfizer doses are available at regional vaccination centres and pop-up walk-in clinics.
Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann said he had asked his officials to ensure the new recommendation, issued on Wednesday from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), was implemented "as quickly as possible".
The extension of the rollout means all of the UK's 1.4 million 16 and 17-year-olds will now be eligible to get a first dose.
