- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus and will now self-isolate for seven days.
- Johnson announced the news on Twitter, saying he had experienced ‘mild’ symptoms of the virus.
- His spokesman said he had developed a cough and temperature on Thursday afternoon.
- The Prime Minister will continue to lead the UK’s response to the crisis via teleconferencing.
- If he falls seriously ill the UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will become his “designated survivor.”
- Buckingham Palace said the Queen had last met with Johnson on 11 March and “remains in good health.”
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus and will now self-isolate.
Johnson announced the news in a video clip posted on Twitter on Friday morning.
Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus.
I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.
Together we will beat this. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2020
The Prime Minister said he had experienced “mild symptoms” of the COVID-19 disease and would continue to lead the UK government’s response to the crisis.
A spokesperson for Johnson said the prime minister began to experience a cough and temperature on Thursday afternoon and was confirmed to have tested positive for the virus by midnight.
Despite experiencing symptoms of the virus, Johnson took part in the national public applause for NHS workers outside his residence on Thursday evening
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak showed their appreciation for the NHS by taking part in the Clap for Carers event pic.twitter.com/lToTTPJWFK
— PA Media (@PA) March 26, 2020
The prime minister will now remain in his 11 Downing Street residence for seven days with doors closed to the rest of the prime minister's offices.
"Number 10 is considered a workplace," the spokesman said.
"The advice to staff here and the PM's colleagues is that they don't need to do anything in terms of self-isolation unless they start to have symptoms, in which case they should follow PHE advice."
Johnson had previously declined testing for the coronavirus after coming into contact with a minister who had also tested positive for COVID-19.
He has agreed to make the Foreign Secretary Domonic Raab his "designated survivor" if he falls seriously ill.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the Queen had last met with Johnson on 11 March and "remains in good health."
The Health Secretary also tests positive for coronavirus
The Health Secretary has also tested positive for the coronavirus, the UK government announced on Friday.
His spokesperson said he would self-isolate at home until he has recovered.