COVID-19 infections in the UK have climbed to their highest level since the beginning of the year, final official estimates of the prevalence of the virus have revealed.

While the trend is uncertain in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are signs the virus is continuing to spread

It marks the last time that regular estimates of COVID-19 are being published, as the long-running infection survey - dubbed "the envy of the world" due to its success in tracking the virus, has been halted.