The UK has recorded 35,077 new COVID-19 cases and a further 33 coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data. 

The figures compare with 30,439 COVID-19 infections and 43 fatalities reported yesterday, and 37,960 cases and 40 deaths recorded this time last week.

The number of people in hospital with the disease stands at 6,556, the latest data shows, down from 6,905 seven days earlier, with 805 of those on ventilators.

A total of 48,956,859 people in the UK have now received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine after 24,123 had their first jab on Sunday, and 44,992,044 have been double jabbed after 21,532 people received their second dose.

The government is not providing a vaccination uptake percentage for the country at the moment as it is working on including 12-15 year olds in the figures.

The latest data comes as the UK scrapped its traffic light system for international travel – replacing it with just two categories – countries on the red list and everywhere else.

Currently, 54 countries remain on the red list, although this is expected to be cut to as few as nine, with places such as South Africa, and Mexico expected to become available to quarantine-free travel.

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Those coming from countries not on the red list can enter the UK without a pre-departure COVID-19 test, and they are not required to do a PCR test eight days after their arrival or isolate at home.

Instead, a single test is needed on the second day after arrival in the UK.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and today’s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.”

Earlier on Monday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed a £500m expansion of government action to tackle unemployment and support jobseekers following the end of the furlough scheme.

Within the chancellor’s package of support is an extension of the Kickstart scheme – which provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds at risk of long-term unemployment – until the end of March.

Mr Sunak is also extending a Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) scheme – for those who have been unemployed for more than three months – by another year; and he is extending a Youth Offer of guaranteed support for all young people on Universal Credit until the end of 2025.

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