The UK has reported 36,660 new COVID-19 cases and 50 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, government data shows.

The figures compare with 34,471 infections and six deaths reported yesterday, and 28,773 cases and 37 fatalities announced this time last week.

It is the seventh day in a row where total cases have exceeded 30,000.

And it is the highest number of daily deaths since 9 April, when 60 fatalities were announced.

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Since the pandemic began, 128,481 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

It comes as 54,296 people in the UK received their first dose of a COVID vaccine on Monday, taking the total to 45,978,017.

The total number of people who are now fully vaccinated has reached 34,997,491 after 125,360 had their second dose yesterday.

The latest data from the Department of Health also shows 564 people were admitted to hospital on 7 July after testing positive for the virus and 3,236 people were admitted over the last seven days – a weekly increase of 53.7%.

Meanwhile, scientists have urged the government to put contingency plans in place ready for surging hospital admissions as COVID cases are expected to remain high until the end of August.

Members of the government scientific advisory committee SAGE also warned that larger numbers of infections will increase the chance of new variants emerging.

The British Medical Association (BMA) have also warned the government that the easing of England’s coronavirus restrictions on 19 July is “irresponsible” and risks “potentially devastating consequences”.

BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: “It’s irresponsible – and frankly perilous – that the government has decided to press ahead with plans to lift the remaining COVID-19 restrictions on 19 July.”

He added: “The prime minister repeatedly emphasised the importance of a slow and cautious approach.

“But in reality, the government is throwing caution to the wind by scrapping all regulations in one fell swoop – with potentially devastating consequences.”

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