Coronavirus | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Health Secretary Matt Hancock test positive

“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” Mr. Johnson said.

March 27, 2020 05:00 pm | Updated 11:56 pm IST - LONDON

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson applauds outside 10 Downing Street during the Clap for our Carers campaign, in London.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson applauds outside 10 Downing Street during the Clap for our Carers campaign, in London.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus and is self isolating but will still lead the government's response to the outbreak.

Also read: Coronavirus | Indian mission offers help in arranging accommodation for stranded Indians in U.K.

“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” Mr. Johnson said. “I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the governments response via video-conference as we fight this virus.”

A Downing Street spokesman said Mr. Johnson, 55, experienced mild symptoms on Thursday — a day after he answered at the Prime Minister's weekly question-and-answer session in the chamber of the House of Commons.

“The prime minister was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty,” the spokesman said.

Also read: Coronavirus | U.K. plans curfews if social distancing rules ignored

“The test was carried out in No 10 by NHS staff and the result of the test was positive,” the spokesman said.

Secretary under self-isolation

Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Friday said he had tested positive for COVID-19, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was self-isolating with “mild symptoms” of the virus.

“Following medical advice, I was advised to test for #Coronavirus. I've tested positive. Thankfully my symptoms are mild and I'm working from home & self-isolating,” Hancock announced on Twitter.

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