Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for Covid-19, it has been announced.
He was showing mild symptoms and was tested at No 10 by NHS staff for the coronavirus, on the personal advice of England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.
Mr Johnson will self-isolate in Downing Street, but will still be in charge of the government's handling of the crisis.
"After experiencing mild symptoms yesterday, the prime minister was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty," a Number 10 spokesperson said in a statement this morning (Friday, March 27).
"The test was carried out in No 10 by NHS staff and the result of the test was positive. In keeping with the guidance, the prime minister is self-isolating in Downing Street. He is continuing to lead the government’s response to coronavirus."
In a video posted on Twitter, Mr Johnson said: "I've developed mild symptoms of coronavirus, that is a temperature and a persistent cough, and on the advice of the chief medical officer I've taken a test. That has come out positive, so I am working from home. I'm self-isolating, and that's entirely the right thing to do.
"But, be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team, to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.
"And I want to thank everybody who's involved, I want to thank of course above all our amazing NHS staff.
"It was very moving last night to join that national clap for the NHS but it's not just the NHS. It's our police, our social care workers, teachers, everybody who works in schools, DWP staff, an amazing national effort by the public services but also by every member of the British public who are volunteering.
"An incredible response as 600,000 people have volunteered to take part in a great national effort to protect people from the consequences of the coronavirus.
"We will get through it, and the way we're going to get through it is by applying the measures we've heard so much about.
"Thank you to everybody who's doing what I'm doing, working from home to stop the spread of the virus from household to household. That's the way we're going to win. We're going to beat it and we're going to beat it together."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the West Suffolk MP, has also tested positive for coronavirus, having also shown mild symptoms.
The Prince of Wales tested positive for the virus earlier this week.
Prince Charles, 71, is to be displaying mild symptoms "but otherwise remains in good health", a spokesman said.
