Boris Johnson self-isolates after testing positive for coronavirus

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus after showing symptoms yesterday which included coughing and a high temperature.

Downing Street confirmed that 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.

The test was carried out in No 10 by NHS staff and the result of the test was positive.

Boris Johnson issued a video message on his official Twitter account where he vowed to continue working:

“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus.

“I’m working from home and 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.

“I want to thank everybody involved and, of course, our amazing NHS staff.”

The prime minister’s spokesman issued a statement earlier this week which confirmed that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, as the first secretary of state, would stand in if the prime minister fell ill.

For more information on coronavirus and the government’s official response, click here.