Daily UK Covid cases rise 20 per cent in 24 hours to highest level since early February

23 deaths linked to Covid-19 were also recorded

The number of UK daily Covid-19 cases jumped to 18,270 on Saturday as stadiums, shopping centres and other large venues were opened up as walk-in “grab a jab” vaccination centres in a boost the number of people getting immunised.

It is the highest figure since 3 February, and a 20 per cent rise on Friday’s total.

The steady rise in cases comes as experts warn the country is in the grip of a third wave of Covid-19 thanks to the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Sporting grounds involved in the weekend vaccination drive include Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Buses offering jabs will also operate in Dudley, Colchester, Ipswich and elsewhere, while community vaccinators will visit those who are housebound.

NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens said the country was in a “race to the finish line” in its vaccine programme.

The government aims to have offered a first dose to all adults by 19 July – the date when the final stage of lockdown easing is now scheduled to go ahead, having been delayed from 21 June.

A total of 64,089,251 Covid-19 vaccinations had taken place in England between 8 December and Friday (25 June), according to NHS England data, including first and second doses – a rise of 310,890 on Thursday.

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi and London mayor Sadiq Khan joined a London vaccine summit on Friday in a bid to boost jab uptake in the capital, which lags behind the rest of England.

Data shows that an estimated 83.1 per cent of over 50s in London had received both doses of vaccine by 20 June.

But all other regions across the country are above 90 per cent, according to the figures published by NHS England.