BRITISH PRIME MINISTER AND HEALTH SECRETARY SELF-ISOLATE WITH COVID-19

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER AND HEALTH SECRETARY SELF-ISOLATE WITH COVID-19

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus.

He confirmed that he had contracted the virus in a Tweet and video post 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.”

Mr Johnson was tested at Number 10 Downing St, address of his official residence and office by a team from the National Health Service(NHS) on the advice of the Chief Medical Offcer of England, Professor Chris Whitty.

Professor Whitty has been appearing alongside the Prime Minister in his daily COVID-19 press briefings along with other senior UK government and NHS representatives.

Mr Johnson was absent from Thursday’s session.

The Prime Minister has self-isolated and will work from home for an initial 7 seven following standard precautionary procedures.

His pregnant partner is staying in separate quarters.

In a video posted on his Twitter account, Mr Johnson said:

"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.”

He thanked the public for their well-wishes which have started to stream in and was especially praiseworthy of the NHS staff.

Mr Johnson will continue his duties as Prime Minister working remotely.

The British Prime Minister carries ultimate constitutional responsibility for the Cayman Islands and the other British Overseas Territories.

SECOND CABINET MEMBER TESTS POSITIVE

Meanwhile, less than an hour after, the British Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock confirmed that he too had contracted COVID-19.

In a Tweeted video message he said:

“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 and self isolating until next Thursday.”

The Health Secretary who has portfolio responsibility for the NHS, said it is “vital that we follow the advice to protect our NHS and save lives.”

By midday Friday, the UK had recorded over 750 deaths from COVID-19, the most of them in London now considered the epicentre of the outbreak in the UK.

Of around 12,000 confirmed cases in the UK, most of them - around 4,000 - are in London considered as the epicentre of the crisis in the country.

The huge ExCel conference centre in the capital is being rapidly converted into a mega 2,000-bed hospital to treat exclusively COVID-19 patients.

It will be called the Nightingale Hospital in honour Florence Nightingale, the British World War 1 nurse heroine.