Daily Covid infections in the UK passed 11,000 for the first time since February today, while deaths were the highest in a month.

It follows an announcement that all adults will be able to book their jabs from Friday in a bid to bring cases back down.

A total of 11,007 new cases were reported today, which is the highest daily toll since February 19, when 12,027 people tested positive.

The latest Department of Health figures show another 19 people lost their lives within 28 days of testing positive.

It is the highest number since May 11, when 20 people died after catching the virus. Today’s update brings the country’s official death toll to 127,945.

However, data from the UK’s statistics agencies, including cases where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, puts the total at 152,397.

Hospitalisations are also creeping up, with 1,136 patients in care on June 13 — the highest number since May 7 and an 18% rise from the week before.

It comes after Imperial College London’s React study found that coronavirus cases are doubling every 11 days in England.

Steven Riley, professor of infectious disease dynamics, told reporters: ‘Prevalence is increasing exponentially, driven by younger ages.’

The majority of new cases were among adults aged 18 to 24 and children between five and 12, few of whom will be fully vaccinated.

Cases among 18 to 24 year olds were shown to be five times higher than over-65s.

In a bid to stamp out the surge, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed today that everyone over the age of 18 will be able to book their jab from tomorrow.

It is hoped the move will stop the spread of the more contagious Delta (previously Indian) variant, which now makes up the vast majority of cases across the country.

The chief executive of the NHS told the conference earlier this week that the mass vaccination programme would be competed ‘to the greatest extent possible’ over the next four weeks’.

But he warned there is a limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine, which may slow down or delay the rollout slightly.

Currently four in five adults in the UK have received their first dose of the vaccine, while 58.2% have had both.

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