The number of people with coronavirus in England rose to around 1 in 50 during the week to 2 January, according to latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates.
According to its Infection Survey, about 1,122,000 people had the virus.
That compares with 645,800 people and 1 in 85 in the last survey for England, which covered 12 to 18 December.
In the capital in particular, the ONS predicts that around 3.56% of Londoners had the virus.
The study's sample tests tens of thousands of people around the UK - whether or not they have symptoms - but does not include people in care homes and hospitals.
The results contribute to SAGE estimates of the R number - the rate of transmission - which is due to be updated later today.
It comes as new research from Pfizer suggests its vaccine may still work on the new more transmissible coronavirus variants found in the UK and South Africa.
Britain is using Pfizer's jab and one from Oxford University/AstraZeneca in an effort to vaccinate more than 13 million people in the most vulnerable groups by mid-February.
