Responding to the Downing Street briefing on coronavirus figures the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

"It is very worrying to see the number of infections continue to grow.

"That, inevitably, will feed through to more hospital admissions, adding to severe pressures.

"We are in for a very tough few weeks.

"It's encouraging though to hear that nearly a quarter of people over 80 in England have now been vaccinated.

"It's a tribute to the careful planning, skills and commitment of so many NHS staff who are working flat out to deliver this extraordinary vaccination programme."