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A further 1,162 COVID-related deaths and 52,618 new cases have been reported in the UK.
The death toll increased from yesterday, when 1,041 people were reported to have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus, according to government figures.
It was the highest daily figure since April 21 and only the 10th time it has exceeded 1,000.
But the number of cases dropped by more than 10,000 yesterday, when the reported figure was 62,322.
Coronavirus updates live from the UK and around the world
Most of the deaths and cases reported on Thursday occurred in England: 1,004 and 46,841 respectively.
The next highest numbers were recorded in Scotland, where 2,649 new cases were reported along with 78 more deaths.
Wales confirmed another 1,718 positive results in the last 24 hours and 63 more deaths.
Northern Ireland recorded another 1,410 cases and 17 deaths.
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The government has committed to vaccinating more than 13 million people in the four main priority groups by mid-February.
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But there have been concerns about the decision to delay the second dose of the vaccine until 12 weeks after England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said there was “real concern” that it could result in a “escaped mutant”.
One in 50 people in England now has the virus, according to the latest official figures, and some NHS trust it London and the southeast at risk of being overwhelmed.
Lindsey Izard, who works in intensive care at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London, said the staff is so overloaded they have to make compromises in their ward.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer warned today that the epidemic is “out of control” and said Britain was in a “race against time” to reduce the number of cases.
Boris Johnson will host a press conference in Downing Street later, where he is expected to provide an update on vaccine launches.
