The UK has recorded another 138 coronavirus related deaths – the highest daily total since 17 March.

The latest figures also show another 21,691 coronavirus cases reported across the country.

This compares with the 21,952 COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths reported on Monday, and the 23,511 cases and 131 deaths this time last week.

Figures for deaths tend to be higher at the start of the week due to a lag in reporting over the weekend.

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Since the pandemic began, there have been a total of 5,923,820 coronavirus cases in the UK, and 129,881 people have died within 28 days of positive COVID test.

According to the latest data, 731 COVID patients were admitted to hospital on 30 July and there were 6,003 admissions in the last seven days – 27 less than the previous period, a fall of 0.4%.

The latest figures show another 26,114 people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, meaning 46,898,525 have had an initial jab.

Some 38,590,332 people are now double jabbed, with another 126,307 people getting their follow up shot in the latest data.

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On Monday, plans for a booster jab rollout this autumn were revealed by the government, in a similar manner to annual flu vaccines.

It comes after coronavirus deaths rose to their highest levels in three months in England and Wales in the week ending 23 July.

A total of 327 people who died had COVID mentioned on their death certificate that week – a 50% jump on the previous seven days.

This is the greatest figure since the 362 in the week to 16 April – with the lowest point since being 84 in the week to 11 June.

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon announced Scotland will move out of coronavirus restrictions next week – with nightclubs, stadiums and concert venues all allowed to welcome full crowds, and social distancing coming to an end.

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It follows the move to Level 0 restrictions last month.

However, wearing of masks will still be mandated, contact tracing services will continue, home working will still be advised, and vaccine passports may still be considered for some events.

Elsewhere, Jamie Jenkins, the former head of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), told LBC that England and Wales could be “over the edge” of the third wave of COVID.

“I think looking at the data, we normally see deaths peaking around 14 days after cases come down, I think we might start being over the hill now when it comes to deaths,” he said.

“We probably are over the edge of the wave at the moment but let’s have a bit of caution as we go into the autumn period.”

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