A further 332 people have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test, the highest figure since 2 March - although this number is likely due to a lag in data reporting over the Christmas period.

The figures compare with yesterday's previous record high of 183,037 cases (including five days of delayed Northern Ireland data) along with 57 deaths reported, while this time last week 119,789 cases and 147 deaths were announced.

It comes amid surging cases of the more transmissible Omicron variant and a rise in the number of patients in hospital who have tested positive for COVID.

In the last 24 hours, 19,544 Omicron cases have been detected across the UK, taking the total to 229,666.

According to recent data, 71% of COVID patients in hospitals in England were primarily being treated for coronavirus.

The remaining 29% were there "with COVID", suggesting they tested positive on arrival for another ailment or tested positive during their stay.

Some medics are calling this latter group incidental COVID patients.

Meanwhile, leading scientists have warned that ongoing shortages of COVID tests across the UK are a "great concern" as Boris Johnson was accused of "mixed messaging" ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations.

In recent days, there have been widespread shortages of lateral flow and PCR tests for delivery on the government's portal, with no PCRs available across the UK this morning.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid says the government will triple the supply of lateral flow tests to 300 million per month by February, but added that as current shortages persist "we expect to need to constrain the system at certain points over the next two weeks".

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Nightclubs have been ordered to close in Scotland and Wales, while Edinburgh's traditional Hogmanay street party has been cancelled and Scots are being encouraged to limit gatherings to no more than three households.

But, in England, the prime minister has not introduced any further restrictions for New Year's Eve, even though he has urged people to celebrate in a "cautious and sensible way" and suggested they test themselves prior to meeting with others.