The UK has recorded 48,553 COVID cases and 63 more deaths in the latest 24-hour period.

It is the highest number of fatalities since 26 March, when 70 were reported, and the largest number of infections since mid-January.

A further 42,302 infections were announced yesterday, along with 49 fatalities.

Seven days ago, there were 32,551 cases and 35 deaths.

A further 60,374 first vaccinations were administered yesterday, along with 185,661 second ones.

More than two-thirds of adults are now double-jabbed, the health secretary has said.

Hundreds of thousands of people are being urged to bring forward their second dose of a vaccine, to try to get as many people fully protected as possible before restrictions are eased in England on Monday.

Text messages will be sent to 650,000 people telling them they should make sure their second vaccine appointment is no more than eight weeks after their first.

Meanwhile, more than half a million people in England were pinged by the NHS Test and Trace app in a week – the highest figure recorded.

A total of 520,194 alerts were sent to users of the NHS COVID-19 app in the week to 7 July, telling them they had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus and to self-isolate.

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