A further 35,847 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the last 24 hours - an increase of 5,000 compared to yesterday's tally.
New data from public health officials also reveals a further 149 people have lost their lives to the coronavirus.
It means infections have increased by 12.1% across the country over the last week and the rate of cases now stands at 339.3 per 100,000 people.
Yesterday, 30,383 infections, as well as 174 more deaths, were confirmed by the government.
Last Wednesday 111 deaths were recorded, meaning this week's total is a 34% rise.
The number of people to have received two doses of the vaccine now stands at more than 42 million, 77.4% of the eligible population.
The latest rise comes a day after the Office for National Statistics confirmed Covid deaths in England and Wales are at their highest since March.
A total of 571 deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate were recorded in the week ending August 13, up by 8% on the week before.
It's the highest total since the March when 719 deaths were recorded in a single week.
Data revealed yesterday also confirmed infections have increased in two thirds of areas in England.
Scotland has seen a steep rise in recent days, with cases topping 5,000 in the last 24 hours for the first time ever.
The record number of cases is on top of 4,323 the day before and hospital admissions have risen for five straight days.
The South West of England has also emerged as a particular area of concern, with four of the five areas with the biggest increases in cases being located in the area.
Health officials have blamed the trend on an influx of tourists visiting places like Cornwall and a major outbreak at a Newquay music festival.
Around 4,700 cases are thought to be linked to the Boardmasters event which was held earlier this month and attended by 50,000 people.
People infected at the festival are spread around the county but at least 800 are thought to live in Cornwall.
A similar outbreak occurred at Latitude festival, it emerged today. At least 1,000 people who attended the Suffolk festival in late July have since tested positive.
