The UK has recorded 32,406 new coronavirus cases and 133 further deaths in the latest 24-hour period, daily government data shows.

The figures compare with 38,046 COVID-19 cases and 100 deaths reported on Friday.

This time last week, 21 August, 32,058 new cases and 104 deaths were recorded.

On Friday, 128,248 people received a second vaccine dose, which means 78.2% of the population aged over 16 is now fully inoculated.

And 43,160 people were given their first dose – taking the total to 47,958,928 (88.2%).

It comes as a new study suggests people infected with the Delta variant are twice as likely to be admitted to hospital compared to those with the Alpha variant.

Research carried out by Public Health England (PHE) and Cambridge University is the first of its kind to compare the risk of the two variants.

First reported in India at the end of 2020, early studies of the Delta variant found it to be up to 50% more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which was first discovered in Kent.

Dr Gavin Dabrera, a consultant epidemiologist at PHE’s National Infection Service, said: “We already know that vaccination offers excellent protection against Delta and as this variant accounts for over 98% of COVID-19 cases in the UK, it is vital that those who have not received two doses of vaccine do so as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, there has been an increased uptake in vaccination amongst people from ethnically diverse communities, new analysis has found

Over 3.8 million first doses have been delivered since the start of the NHS’s “grab-a-jab” campaign, launched at the end of June.

The campaign has allowed people to get vaccinated at pop-up walk in centres, mosques, town halls, football grounds and festivals.

Since the campaign was launched, more than 700,000 people from ethnically diverse backgrounds have been protected from COVID-19, NHS England said.

People from mixed Asian and white backgrounds saw the fastest growth in jab uptake, rising by almost a quarter – 81,933 people took the first dose by 20 June and 101,140 were vaccinated by 22 August.

Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

There was a 22.9% increase in the vaccinations for mixed white people, and it increased by 20.9% among black Africans.

In the same period, the first doses among white people increased by 11.1%.

Related posts:

UK records another 110 coronavirus deaths and 5,294 new cases as over 24.8 million have had first vaccine dose England fans urged to ‘drown out boos’ when players take the knee at Euro 2020 – but Scotland opt for different gesture New rail pass and vouchers for tourist attractions part of tourism recovery plan Murder accused signed note in his own blood of pact with devil to ‘win lottery’, trial told Fans break through security barriers and run into Wembley ahead of Euro 2020 final How the England and Italy players rated in the Euro 2020 final ‘It starts at the top’: PM’s burka comments highlighted amid condemnation of football racism Hospital admissions could peak at 1,000 to 2,000 a day during COVID third wave, scientists believe Mark Cavendish victim of ‘violent and targeted’ knifepoint burglary by four masked men NHS under pressure all over, but where are the pinch points? Prince Andrew has all military titles and royal patronages taken away – and will no longer use His Royal Highness Pothole breakdowns hit ‘ridiculous’ three-year high