The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain passed 60,000 as another 414 were recorded, according to official figures released Thursday.
The total number of coronavirus-related deaths has hit 60,113, the data showed.
Another 14,897 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 1,674,134.
The figures came as Public Health England (PHE) published Thursday its latest weekly COVID surveillance report, showing that infection rates in England are continuing to fall among all age groups and in all regions.
The highest rate was in the 40 to 49 age group, which had 190.3 cases per 100,000 people last week, the report showed.
Infection rates fell most in the 20 to 29 age group, where there were 171.9 cases per 100,000 last week, compared with 240.9 in the previous week, according to the report.
Meanwhile, rates fell most in the northeastern part of England, where there were 181.7 cases per 100,000 people last week, down from 286.6 the week before.
A new three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions has replaced the month-long national lockdown in England which ended Wednesday.
Under the new system, shops are allowed to re-open across England, giving a Christmas bonanza to the struggling retail sector, but all bars and restaurants in the toughest Tier 3 areas remain closed.
Putting about 98 percent of England into Tier 2 and 3 restrictions, the new tier system was backed Tuesday by 291 votes to 78 in the House of Commons (lower house of the British Parliament).
To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States are racing against time to develop coronavirus vaccines.
