The number of coronavirus cases in the UK has risen by 37,269, the latest Government figures show.
Cases over the last seven days are down 6.9% on the previous seven days, but the number of Covid-related deaths has been soaring.
According to the latest data, a further 214 people are recorded to have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.
It is the third day in a row with more than 200 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.
Yesterday, 41,229 new coronavirus infections and 217 deaths were reported in the UK.
In the past week, the UK has recorded 1,190 Covid deaths.
Today, the first oral anti-viral medication that reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from Covid-19 was approved for home use in the UK.
The antiviral Lagevrio (molnupiravir) has been found to be safe and effective, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced.
It reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death in people with mild to moderate Covid who are at increased risk of developing severe disease, the body found.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: "Today is a historic day for our country, as the UK is now the first country in the world to approve an anti-viral that can be taken at home for Covid-19.
"This will be a gamechanger for the most vulnerable and the immunosuppressed, who will soon be able to receive the ground-breaking treatment.
"We are working at pace across the Government and with the NHS to set out plans to deploy molnupiravir to patients through a national study as soon as possible
"This antiviral will be an excellent addition to our armoury against Covid-19, and it remains vital everyone comes forward for their life-saving Covid-19 vaccine - particularly those eligible for a booster - to ensure as many people as possible are protected over the coming months."
It comes as data from the Office for National Statistics found an estimated 1.2 million people in private households in the UK reported experiencing long Covid in the four weeks to October 2.
This is up from 1.1 million a month earlier and reflects "sustained increased Covid-19 infection rates in August," the ONS said.
Of the 1.2 million, an estimated 849,000 first had Covid-19 - or suspected they had Covid-19 - at least 12 weeks previously, while 426,000 first had the virus or suspected they had the virus at least one year ago.
