Another 4,182 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the UK – the highest daily total since 1 April.

It’s also the first time since that date (when 4,479 infections were reported) that the figure has exceeded 4,000, and the third day running that the number has been above 3,000.

Another 10 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID test have also been reported.

There have now been 4,477,705 cases and 127,768 deaths throughout the pandemic in the UK.

Live COVID updates from UK and around world

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Almost 700,000 vaccinations were administered yesterday, with nearly half of the adult population now in receipt of two jabs.

Some 256,517 first doses were given out, and 434,096 follow-up shots, meaning 24,478,052 people have now had a full course of vaccinations – equivalent to 46.5% of the adult population.

And 38,871,200 people – 73.8% of adults – have had at least one dose.

It comes following reports that coronavirus infections in England are growing by up to 3% every day.

And the latest coronavirus R (reproduction) number is estimated to be between 1.0 and 1.1 – up from between 0.9 and 1.1 last week.

This means that, on average, every 10 people infected with COVID will infect between 10 and 11 other people.

Earlier today, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told Sky News it was “impossible to know” if all lockdown restrictions would be removed on 21 June.

The minister said a final decision would not be made until 14 June.

It comes after Dr Jenny Harries, the UK Health Security Agency chief executive, outlined at a Downing Street press conference on Thursday how cases were rising .

However, she noted that the number of people being hospitalised was not rising at a similar rate.

She said this came with vaccinations being “pushed out strongly”.

Earlier today, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave approval for the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine – also known as the Janssen vaccine – to be used.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We now have four safe and effective vaccines approved to help protect people from this awful virus.

“As Janssen is a single-dose vaccine, it will play an important role in the months to come as we redouble our efforts to encourage everyone to get their jabs and potentially begin a booster programme later this year.”

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The UK has ordered 20 million doses of the vaccine, which England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, has previously said could be used for hard-to-reach groups of people, where recalling them for a second jab is not always successful.

Related posts:

Society will have to live with ‘substantial’ COVID deaths but ‘worst is over’, SAGE expert says Two bears put down over ‘threat to human life’ after attacking boar during zoo enclosure escape More than 50 million vaccine doses administered in England – Hancock UK orders 35 million more doses of Pfizer vaccine as it prepares for COVID booster shots Deputy headteacher and partner jailed for rape and sexual abuse of child Queen to spend Christmas Day with Charles and Camilla Christmas presents for four boys killed in house fire will stay under tree unopened, father says Christmas holiday plans abandoned as European nations impose new COVID rules on UK arrivals Man arrested after 100 iPads bought as gifts stolen from children’s hospital PM yet to receive No 10 lockdown parties report as chances of publication today dwindle Met Police refers itself to watchdog over man who stabbed ex-wife to death in street What are the rules on face masks – and where are they still required?