Another 9,284 coronavirus cases and six more deaths have been reported in the UK, according to official daily figures.

It compares with 10,321 cases and 14 deaths yesterday, and 7,490 cases and eight deaths this time last week.

Another 280,241 people also had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and 236,363 had a second dose.

It means 42,964,013 have had the first jab, while 31,340,507 are fully vaccinated.

Total UK deaths since the start of the pandemic – within 28 days of a positive test – stand at 127,976.

The figures come at the end of a week when all over 18s can book a COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 700,000 appointments were book on Sunday – the day that jabs became available to all over 18s.

Brenden Wren, a vaccine expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said on Sunday that the UK could open up sooner rather than later because of the high vaccine take-up.

He said that having over 81% of the adult population jabbed and almost 60% of adults taking both doses is “encouraging”.

Asked whether the success of the vaccine programme means England will not need to wait until 19 July to fully open up, he said: “We’d still need to be vigilant – but vigilance and vaccination are the two words.

“So, I think if the numbers continue to be promising then I think there’s great hope we could open up on 5 July.”

On 21 June, the UK was meant to celebrate the complete lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson delayed it to 19 July because of rising cases.

The cases have risen primarily because of the Delta variant, which was first found in India.

The PM said on 14 June that the postponement of step four will allow for more people to receive the second jab.

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