UK coronavirus death toll rises to 4,934 after 621 more die in 24 hours

Increase comes as health secretary warns outdoor exercise could be banned to slow spread of virus

A further 621 people have died after contracting coronavirus, bringing the UK death toll to 4,934, the government has confirmed.

The latest figures covered deaths recorded up to 5pm on Saturday for people who had been hospitalised due to Covid-19.

As of 9am on Sunday, a total of 195,524 people had been tested for the virus, of which 47,806 tested positive, the Department of Health said.

The increase came as Matt Hancock, the health secretary, warned outside exercise could be banned if people flout social distancing rules designed to slow the spread of the virus.

Mr Hancock said sunbathing in public spaces was against the government’s guidance and warned those who disobeyed the rules were putting their own and others’ lives at risk.

Some parks in the UK have closed this weekend due to too many people visiting them amid warm weather across the country.

“We've said it's OK to go for exercise because both the physical and mental health benefits of getting some exercise are really important,” Mr Hancock told the BBC on Sunday.

“At the moment the vast majority of people are [following the guidance] but people should not break the rules because that will mean that the virus spreads more and then we might have to take further action."

On Sunday, the Department of Health and Social Care issued an explicit warning to the public to not travel to beaches, visit national parks or hold picnics during the lockdown.

“Only leave your home for essentials, work or exercise,” the department wrote on Twitter.

The UK could record a similar number of deaths to Italy, the worst-affected country in Europe, during the pandemic, if it does not slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Later this evening, the Queen will address the nation about the challenges posed by the pandemic and acknowledge the “grief” and “financial difficulties” experienced by many.

She is expected to say: “Those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.

“And that the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet, good-humoured resolve and of fellow feeling still characterise this country."

With hundreds of thousands signing up to volunteer for the NHS and others supporting vulnerable people in their communities, the monarch will say she hopes in the future everyone will be able to feel "pride" in how they rose to the challenge.

Additional reporting by PA