The UK has recorded nearly 160,000 new Covid-19 cases, as Omicron continues to spread rapidly across the country.
A further 42 people were also confirmed to have died with the virus on Monday.
The 157,758 new daily infections represents a 45% increase on a week ago – but is a slight drop compared to last week’s highs.
However, data on bank holidays, Mondays and at the weekends tends to be lower than on other days and Tuesday could herald another big jump in infections.
The latest figures mean the UK has now recorded 13.4 million cases and 148,893 deaths since the pandemic began.
Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have now been 174,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
Progress on booster jabs has stuttered over the festive period and only slightly more than 100,000 people received a third vaccine in the latest 24 hour period.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been aiming for a million a day.
Overall, the UK has now administered 51.8 million first doses, 47.5 million second jabs and 34.2 million boosters.
Meanwhile, restrictions in England are unlikely to be imposed this week, with ministers waiting for more data.
That is despite the Mr Johnson admitting that there will be ‘considerable’ pressure on NHS for ‘next couple of weeks or more’.
Many other countries, including in the UK, have imposed a new Covid crackdown to limit the spread of Omicron.
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