UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests POSITIVE for Covid-19 infection
by RT
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests POSITIVE for Covid-19 infection
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for Covid-19 infection, experiencing mild symptoms. He will self-isolate in Downing Street but will remain in charge of the government.
“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” Johnson said. “I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.”
It was not immediately clear when the prime minister was tested but various members of his staff had been working elsewhere when the news first emerged that he had tested positive.
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.
Johnson, 55, reportedly began experiencing mild symptoms on Thursday and was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty.
Reports in UK media indicate that health secretary Matt Hancock will have to enter self-isolation because they spent time with Johnson while he was infectious.
For the time being, Johnson will continue to carry out his duties, but Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominc Raab may be asked to step in should the prime minister’s condition worsen. Were he to step in, Raab’s official title would be Understudy to the Prime Minister.
The latest figures show that the UK has over 11,800 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection which has, so far, resulted in the deaths of 578 people.
The news of the prime minister’s illness comes amid claims that the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is facing a “continuous tsunami” of infection and may soon collapse as Intensive Care Units across the country fill up and staff absences due to illness mount, according to the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson.
