COVID-19: UK records 26,068 new coronavirus cases – highest since late January

The UK has reported another 26,068 COVID cases – the highest since 29 January, when there were 29,079.

There have also been 14 more deaths, according to the latest daily figures. On 29 January, there were 1,245.

In comparison, 20,479 cases and 23 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported on Tuesday, and there were 16,135 and 19 this time last week.

Today’s figures also show another 137,991 people had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while a further 150,688 received their second jab.

A total of 44,719,762 people in the UK have now had at least one shot, while 32,872,450 are fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the education secretary has told MPs he expects the removal of school “bubbles” to be announced as part of step four of England’s roadmap for lifting COVID restrictions.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Gavin Williamson said he wanted to see restrictions on schools and colleges – including the bubble system – removed “as quickly as possible along with wider restrictions in society”.

In Scotland, nearly 2,000 COVID cases have been linked to football fans watching Euro 2020 fixtures.

Of the 1,991 cases registered by Public Health Scotland (PHS), two-thirds said they had travelled to London to watch England v Scotland on 18 June.

A total of 397 of these were fans at the game at Wembley Stadium.

A PHS report said 55 cases were linked to a fanzone in Glasgow, while 38 and 37 respectively were linked to Scotland v Croatia and Scotland v Czech Republic at Hampden Park.