The UK has recorded 30,825 new COVID cases and 61 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data.

The figures compare with 29,173 infections and 56 fatalities reported yesterday, while 41,192 cases and 45 deaths were announced this time last week.

987 deaths have been reported in the last seven days, a 25.1% rise on the week before.

And the latest data also shows the number of COVID patients admitted to hospital in the last seven days has increased by 4.7% in a week.

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Meanwhile, another 14,955 people had their first coronavirus vaccine dose on Sunday, taking the total to 48,439,272 (89.1% of over-16s in the UK).

And 52,615 people had their second jab yesterday, meaning 44,048,093 are now fully vaccinated (81.0% of over-16s).

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Since the pandemic began early last year, 134,261 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, and there have been lab-confirmed 7,256,559 infections.

Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have now been 158,000 deaths registered in the UK where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The latest data was released following the announcement from the UK’s chief medical officers that they would be advising that children aged from 12 to 15 to get a coronavirus vaccine.

The advice will likely be followed by the government, as Boris Johnson looks to set out his plan on Tuesday to deal with coronavirus during the upcoming autumn and winter.

The prime minister is said to be “dead set” against another lockdown, and wants the vaccines to be the primary way COVID is tackled.

Mr Johnson wants to avoid using COVID passports if possible in England, but the measure is being held “in reserve”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has implemented a scheme in Scotland, requiring proof of vaccination to be shown when entering venues with large crowds from 1 October.

Industry leaders warn such passports would be a “financial disaster” for places like nightclubs.

Recent analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that people who were fully vaccinated accounted for just 1% of all coronavirus deaths in England in the first half of 2021.

And of those, most were infected before they had received both jabs, or tested positive for COVID within a fortnight of completing the inoculation.

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Some 51,281 deaths involving COVID were recorded between 2 January and 2 July.

Of these, only 640 were double jabbed.

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