The UK's daily recorded Covid cases have fallen by half in a month, the latest figures reveal.
Data released by the Department for Health shows another 45,656 new infections, compared to 88,171 on February 3.
It comes after all Covid restrictions were lifted in England on February 24.
Boris Johnson lauded the "moment of pride" as he set out his Government's long-term plan for living with the virus, despite concerns from some experts.
The legal requirement to self-isolate for up to 10 days after testing positive was dropped a month earlier than originally planned.
Today has also seen a further 194 deaths.
Despite the monthly drop, it is, however, the highest daily infection figure for nearly two weeks and is 1,639 more than yesterday's - or close to a 4% rise.
There was also a 30% rise on the figure compared to last Thursday (February 24) - when 38,933 cases were recorded.
On February 18 - the last time the single-day rate was higher - 47,685 cases were recorded.
Yesterday, the UK recorded 44,017 more Covid cases and on Tuesday 39,000.
Monday's figure was at 82,451 - a three-day count after the Department for Health stopped releasing weekend numbers.
It comes as one of Britain’s top statisticians said Covid is likely to have caused 140,000 deaths in the UK - much lower than the official government count.
MPs yesterday grilled the head of the UK statistics regulator on what should be counted as a Covid-19 death.
The Commons Science Committee discussed which was the best measure of the death toll from the pandemic as many indicators show the UK has fared worse than most comparable nations.
Ed Humpherson, the head of the Office for Statistics Regulation, was quizzed on which of the data was the best measure of Covid deaths.
Labour MP Graham Stringer suggested a lower measure of fewer than 20,000 deaths for which Covid-19 is the only cause listed on the death certificate could be the best measure.
This measure has been highlighted by lockdown sceptics to play down the true impact of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Tories could be forced to reveal the true extent of NHS staff shortages in a legal amendment being debated today.
More than 100 health and care organisations have called for a new legal requirement for the NHS to commission independent assessments of staff numbers needed to cater for patient demand.
However, the Government previously ordered Conservative MPs to vote against the amendment to the Health and Care Bill.
