UK coronavirus death toll hits 44,220 after 22 more fatalities in lowest Sunday since lockdown

THE UK coronavirus death toll has hit 44,220, as 22 more people have died after testing positive for the virus, as of 5pm on Saturday.

This is the lowest Sunday death toll since the beginning lockdown, following last week's 36 fatalities.

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The Government figures do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK, which are thought to have passed 55,000.

The Department of Health and Social Care also said that in the 24-hour period up to 9am on Sunday, there were 516 positive results. Overall, a total of 285,416 cases have been confirmed.

It comes as thirsty Brits returned to pubs yesterday after they reopened for the first time in four months, a police chief warned it was "crystal clear" boozers were not observing social distancing rules.

John Apter, Chair of the Police Federation, complained he dealt with "naked men, happy drunks, angry drunks, fights and more angry drunks" on shift in Southampton.

Revellers were filmed swinging punches in a beer garden in Tamworth, while a pub in Narborough, Leicestershire, had to shut early after a punter was assaulted and suffered neck injuries.

Richard Cooke, chair of the West Midlands Police Federation, predicted a second wave was round the corner.

He tweeted: "Just got home after a long shift late shift peppered with pub fights, domestic violence and drunken drugged up fools.

"If today was anything to go by the 'second wave' won't be long in the making."

However Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted the majority of people who went out on so-called Super Saturday in England did the right thing.

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Speaking on Sky's Ridge On Sunday, Mr Hancock said: "Well I think that from what I've seen, although there's some pictures to the contrary, very, very largely people have acted responsibly.

"The large proportion of people, the vast majority of people are, I think, doing the right thing".

However, he added: "But of course we'll take action when we need to when...if the minority break the rules."

The Metropolitan Police said there were "no significant issues" across London on Saturday.

Mr Hancock said the Government's message to the public is "enjoy the new freedoms, but do so safely".

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His comments come as a former government chief scientific adviser claimed a further 27,000 excess deaths are "likely" between now and next April under the current approach to coronavirus.

Sir David King said it looked as though the current Government policy was to "maintain" the current level of about 3,000 new infections per day across England.

He said: "What we are saying is 27,000 excess deaths are likely between now and next April if the expectation by the chief medical officer is that he would be surprised and delighted if the UK is in the same place next spring.

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"If he's correct we would still have about 2,000 to 3,000 new infections in England per day and that is the number of deaths that would follow from that.

He added: "It looks as if the policy is to maintain the current level of about 3,000 new infections per day across England, while Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland are heading towards net zero."