UK reports another 24,248 coronavirus cases

The country also recorded another 15 coronavirus-related deaths, taking the national death toll to 128,222. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, Xinhua reported.

There will be a "much more permissive regime" of coronavirus measures in England once the remaining restrictions are eased, with the wearing of face masks a personal choice, Sky News quoted Britain's Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick as saying on Sunday.

The data at the moment look very positive, ahead of a final decision by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on whether the final step of England's roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions will take place in just over two weeks, Jenrick told Sky News.

Johnson has announced a four-week delay to the final step of England's roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions until July 19, amid a surge in cases of the Delta variant first identified in India.

Over 78.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given in Britain, and more than 33.6 million people have had their second jab, according to the latest official figures.