The UK has recorded 1,322 more Covid-related deaths since Tuesday.
The latest government figures also reveal that 19,202 more people have now tested positive for Covid-19 in 24 hours.
Wednesday’s figure brings the total number of fatalities to 109,335 since the pandemic began. That refers to people who have died within 28 days of first testing positive for coronavirus.
Health secretary Matt Hancock revealed earlier in the day that 10m people have now received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Official figures show 10,021,471 people have now received the first dose, a rise of 374,756 in 24 hours. Some 498,962 have had both doses, an increase of 2,166 on the previous day.
This week a study revealed a single dose of the Oxford vaccine may reduce transmission of the virus by two thirds.
It also provided a major boost to the government’s recommendation that the second jab should be delayed for up to 12 weeks.
Researchers said that the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab offers protection of 76% up to three months and may reduce transmission by 67% — with efficacy rising to 82.4% after the second dose 12 weeks later.
The data from the study by the University of Oxford, which has not yet been peer reviewed, supports the four- to 12-week prime-boost dosing interval that many global regulators, including the UK’s, have recommended.
The total number of deaths passed 100,000 last week, leading prime minister Boris Johnson to say he was “deeply sorry” for every life lost and that the government “truly did everything we could”.
The highest number of deaths recorded on a single day was 1,820 on January 20.