A further 51,870 Covid-19 cases have been reported in the UK while 48 people have died with the disease.
This means over 100,000 new infections have been notified across Britain in the past two days, following 48,553 fresh cases yesterday.
Separate figures published by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) show there have now been 154,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
It comes as England prepares to ease most coronavirus restrictions on Monday 19 July despite warnings by the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) that the peak of the next wave "cannot be predicted with accuracy".
SAGE said some of the more pessimistic scenarios modelled show hospital admissions reaching (and even exceeding) those in January. In other words, close to 5,000 hospital cases a day.
New rules from Monday in England include face coverings no longer being required by law, although the British government still "expects and recommends" them in crowded and enclosed spaces.
Nightclubs can reopen and people can order pints at the bar counter. There will be no limits on guests at weddings and funerals, and normal capacity resumes at concerts, theatres and sports events.
Scotland (from 19 July) and Wales (from 17 July) are also easing most restrictions but face coverings will still be required in most indoor places.
Northern Ireland will review its reopening plan on 22 July. It reported 1,380 new infections today.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "We have always been clear that we will not hesitate to take rapid action at our borders to stop the spread of Covid-19 and protect the gains made by our successful vaccination programme.
"With restrictions lifting on Monday across the country, we will do everything we can to ensure international travel is conducted as safely as possible, and protect our borders from the threat of variants."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Travel will be different this year and whilst we are committed to continuing to open up international travel safely, our absolute priority is to protect public health here in the UK.
"We urge everyone thinking about going abroad this summer to check their terms and conditions as well as the travel restrictions abroad before they go."
The UK government denies it is pursuing a policy of "herd immunity" by letting the Delta variant rip, but concedes that daily infection rates could surge to 100,000 in the weeks ahead.
International scientists have expressed concerns after an emergency meeting to discuss the UK's plan to lift lockdown.
"I've written that I believe that the strategy of herd immunity is actually murderous," US scientist William Haseltine said. "It is a disaster as a policy," he added.
The reproduction number, or R value, in England remains unchanged from last week and is between 1.2 and 1.4, according to the latest British government figures.
This means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 12 and 14 other people.
As coronavirus infections continue to rise, one in 95 people in England is now infected. In Northern Ireland, the estimate is one in 290 people, broadly unchanged from one in 300 in the previous week.
ONS data shows that more than half a million people - 577,700 - in private households in England are likely to have had Covid-19 in the week to 10 July.
It is more than five times the figure a month ago. In the week to 12 June, the estimate was 105,000 people.
England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty yesterday warned that the number of people being treated in hospital with Covid-19 could reach "quite scary" levels within weeks.
Health bosses in northern England have asked staff to postpone holidays as the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust trust came "under extreme pressure" due to a surge in coronavirus cases.
In an internal note to staff earlier this week, trust executives said there were 80 Covid-19 patients receiving hospital treatment compared with just two exactly a month before.
It asked for staff to work additional shifts, with a £250 bonus for staff who could work an extra week of overtime spread over the next six weeks.
Meanwhile, pub group JD Wetherspoon has said it will allow customers to order at the bar again but will encourage people to use its app for ordering meals and drinks to reduce contact.
It said face masks will not be enforced and customers and staff "will be able to wear them at their discretion".
But customers and traders at a historic food market in London will have to continue wearing face masks next week despite restrictions being eased by the British government.
Borough Market in south London said it will be enforcing mask-wearing under by-laws passed by its Trustees.
It echoes the decision made by London Mayor Sadiq Khan that travellers on the capital's transport network must continue to wear masks from next week and beyond.
Meanwhile, Spitalfields in east London said masks will not need to be worn in the outdoor market itself but the shops within it can ask customers to wear masks inside if they wish.
