Covid: UK coronavirus cases rise by more than 3,000 for second day in a row

Public urged not to treat weekend as a ‘party’ ahead of new restrictions

More than 3,000 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the UK for the second day in a row, as police warned of the risk of people holding large parties before the “rule of six” comes into force.

A further 3,497 positive tests were reported by the Department of Health on Saturday, only slightly below the 3,539 on Friday. Overall, 365,174 cases have been confirmed since the start of the pandemic.

Nine further deaths were also reported, brings the total number of people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 to 41,623. However separate figures show there have now been 57,400 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The latest daily figures were released after one of the government’s coronavirus advisers, Sir Mark Walport, warned the UK was on the edge of losing control of the spread of the virus.

Documents published by Sage on Friday showed that the reproduction number of coronavirus transmission, known as the R value, has risen above one across to the UK for the first time since early March.

Concerns about the “worrying” rise in cases has already prompted Boris Johnson to announce that gatherings of more than six people would be banned again from Monday.

New measures banning people from mixing in homes and gardens will also be imposed on Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell from Tuesday in response to a rocketing infection rate in the area.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the body representing rank and file police officers urged people to look after each other before the "rule of six" comes into play on Monday.

John Apter, of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "There is a real risk some members of the public will take advantage of the current situation and treat this weekend as a party weekend ahead of the tighter restrictions being introduced on Monday."

Additional reporting by Press Association