More than 42,000 people tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, setting a new record for the third time in four days.

Monday’s total of 42,472 was more than 6,000 higher than Sunday’s figure and 51% more than the number of positive tests a week ago.

The percentage of positive tests in the last seven days reached 36%, a level not seen since the first weeks of the pandemic when limited tests were available.

The number of patients in hospital with coronavirus increased by 22 to 1,240, including 317 people who are being treated in intensive care. On a weekly basis the number of patients is down by 19% while IC occupancy has fallen by nearly 22%.

In the last week an average of 122 patients a day have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19 while 19 people have been taken in to intensive care. Both figures are at their lowest level since October 28.

The RIVM also reported an average of 10 deaths a day from Covid-19 in the last week, compared to 17 a week earlier.