The UK has recorded 587 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities to 103,602 since the pandemic began.

That refers to people who have died within 28 days of first testing positive for coronavirus.

The total number of deaths passed 100,000 on Tuesday, 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.

In more positive news, 549,943 vaccinations were given in England on Saturday.

A total of 8,251,146 Covid-19 vaccinations had taken place in England between December 8 and January 30, according to provisional NHS England data, including first and second doses.

Of this number, 7,792,996 were the first dose of the vaccine, a rise of 539,691 on the previous day’s figures, while 458,150 were the second dose, an increase of 10,252.