The UK has recorded another 24,855 coronavirus cases and a further 18 deaths, in the latest 24-hour period.

Today’s official government figures compare with 27,125 new COVID-19 infections and 27 deaths reported on Friday and 18,270 cases and 23 fatalities announced last Saturday.

A further 122,377 people have now had their first vaccine, while 160,763 were given their second dose on Friday.

It means the total number of people who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is now 45,135,880 with 33,402,028 now fully vaccinated.

The latest figures come as Downing Street confirmed it was looking at proposals to scrap quarantine requirements for those in England who have been fully vaccinated.

Dropping all legal requirements to self-isolate for those who have come into contact with someone who is infected and had both coronavirus jabs is being considered “as part of the post-Step 4 world”, the government said.

On Friday, government advisers put the UK’s COVID R (reproductive) number at between 1.1 and 1.3 – a slight fall on the week before and boosting hopes that the rise in cases has reached its peak.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested that some “extra precautions” could still remain in place after the 19 July, the new so-called “freedom day”, and hopes that double jabs will be a “liberator” for those wanting to travel abroad this summer.

Medical professionals have also called for some measures to stay in place after 19 July, including the use of face masks in shops and on public transport, and messaging around social distancing.

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The BMA council’s chair, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, said easing restrictions was not an “all or nothing” decision, and that “sensible, cautious” measures will be vital to minimising the impact of further waves, new variants and lockdowns.

He added: “As case numbers continue to rise at an alarming rate due to the rapid transmission of the Delta variant and an increase in people mixing with one another, it makes no sense to remove restrictions in their entirety in just over two weeks’ time.”

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