The UK has recorded 207 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, government data shows.
It is the highest daily figure since 9 March when 231 deaths were reported.
There have also been 35,693 new COVID daily cases recorded.
The figures come after a bank holiday weekend when there is usually a lag in reporting deaths and cases.
The numbers compare with 32,181 infections and 50 fatalities announced on Tuesday and 35,847 cases and 149 deaths reported this time last week.
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Meanwhile, 38,596 people had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, taking the total to 48,086,605 (88.5% of UK adults).
And 117,437 people had their second jab, meaning 42,908,022 are now fully inoculated (78.9% of the adult population).
It comes as vaccine passports could be needed for people to gain entry to nightclubs and large-scale events in Scotland.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs that the “limited use of vaccine certification” could help control the spread of the virus through autumn and winter.
She said numbers of new infections are 80% higher than last week and five times higher than four weeks ago and described the situation as “extremely concerning”.
The new rules – if approved by parliament in a vote next week – will cover indoor live events with more than 500 unseated people, outdoor live events with more than 4,000 unseated, and any event with over 10,000 attendees.
Meanwhile, school leaders have expressed concerns about the potential impact on COVID cases of pupils returning to classrooms in England and Wales – particularly as most restrictions in place last year have now been dropped.
It comes as government advisers are reportedly resisting recommending vaccinations for younger teenagers over fears it could pose problems for the booster campaign, The Independent reports.
The Department of Health confirmed at the weekend that preparations are under way to ensure jabs can be offered to all 12 to 15-year-olds in England from early September to help control cases when schools return.
The MHRA medicines regulator has already cleared the Pfizer and Moderna jabs for those aged 12 and over on safety grounds.
A source close to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation told The Independent that there is “a need to consider how to prioritise boosters for vulnerable groups and a campaign for that, along with getting people to have their second doses before trying to launch a schools programme”.