On Monday, the UK recorded 58,784 new cases of coronavirus, as well as 407 more deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
Cases rose by 42 percent from last Monday, which saw 41,385 new infections recorded, and marked the first time the UK passed more than 50,000 daily cases every day for a week.
Deaths also rose by 14 percent on Monday compared to December 28, with experts warning of a possible further rise in fatalities figures.
The new strain of Covid-19 has been blamed for the surge in cases, with Mr Johnson saying in his address it was “between 50 percent and 70 percent” more infectious than the original variant from last year.
