A total of 3,718 hospital admissions of people with Covid-19 in England were reported for January 9, NHS England figures also showed.
This is slightly below the record number of 3,967 admissions reported for January 6, but up 18% on the equivalent figure a week ago on January 2.
During the first wave of the virus, admissions peaked at 3,099 on April 1 2020.
The number comprises all patients admitted in the previous 24 hours who were known to have Covid-19, plus any patients diagnosed in hospital with Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours.
The National Medical Director for England has said that seven vaccination hubs and more than 1,000 pharmacies are gearing up to start delivering Covid-19 jabs.
Speaking at a Downing Street press briefing, Professor Stephen Powis said that 1,200 pharmacies in England alone will join the vaccination roll-out.
“We will then kick off another sprint up to April as we get the rest of the vulnerable groups protected and finally a marathon to the autumn as we deliver vaccination to everyone else,” he said.
He added that, apart from social distancing and Covid-19 safety measures, “these vaccines are the best line of defence that we have as we continue this battle against coronavirus”.
There are now 13,000 more Covid-19 patients in hospital than there were on Christmas Day, the National Medical Director for England has said.
Professor Stephen Powis said: “Less than a fortnight into 2021 the number of people in hospital with Covid has already gone up by a third, a rise of around 8,000.”
He said that infection and death rates remain “stubbornly high” with hospitals under “significant and sustained” pressure.
He said that even the South West has more people in hospital now than the entire country combined did at the end of September, and the country has still not seen the full impact of the Christmas loosening of restrictions.
He urged everyone to stick to the rules and “keep focus and resilience” as a country.
Mr Hancock categorically ruled out any changes to the support or childcare bubble system even as Covid-19 infections continue to rise.
He said the new variant of coronavirus makes the situation “so much harder”, adding: “It means that everyone has to restrict the things that they love more than would have been previously necessary under the old variant, and that is tough on us all but thankfully we have got this way out with the vaccine.
“So, let’s not blow it now.”
Professor Powis said it was “critical” that people “pull together” to reduce coronavirus deaths, and ensure that the NHS can treat other conditions.
