Coronavirus daily cases hit 32,253 and 49 deaths recorded

The UK recorded 32,253 coronavirus cases and 49 deaths on Sunday.

That compares with 32,058 new cases reported on Saturday and 104 deaths.

Coronavirus cases were highest this week on Friday when 37,314 new infections were recorded alongside 114 deaths.

It brings the number of people who have died with the virus this week to 687.

As of Sunday, 89,331,700 vaccines had been administered across the UK-47,643,064 first doses and 41,688,636 were second doses.

It comes as the Government announced a UK-wide antibody testing programme will be launched for people who have tested positive for coronavirus.

The programme, which will offer tests to thousands of adults per day, aims to improve understanding and gain “vital” data about antibody protection following Covid infection and vaccination.

From Tuesday, anyone over 18 from any of the four UK nations can opt into the programme when receiving a PCR test.

Of those who test positive for coronavirus, up to 8,000 will be sent two-finger prick antibody tests to complete at home and send back for analysis.

Meanwhile, an expert has warned coronavirus could come “roaring back” if the UK takes its “eye off the ball” with jabs.

Dr Chris Smith, consultant virologist and lecturer at Cambridge University, issued a stark warning about the Covid pandemic on BBC Breakfast.

The consultant virologist pinpointed now as a “critical period” in the coronavirus pandemic.

“We all agree that [the pandemic is not over] until it is over in every corner of the world, because otherwise it will just come roaring back,” he said.

“Don’t forget we think that this started with a handful of cases in one city, in one corner of one country... and it then eclipsed the entire world.

“But one must not take one’s eye off the ball here because it would be very easy to unstitch all of the good work we’ve done so far if it turns out with time we do lose immunity because the vaccines wane in their effectiveness.”