BORIS JOHNSON, UK HEALTH SECY TEST POSITIVE
JOLT TO BRITAIN PM Boris Johnson, health secretary Matt Hancock and UK’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty infected
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the first leader of a major nation to contract Covid-19, but he insisted on Friday that he remains in charge of the UK’s response to the outbreak.
Johnson, 55, said he was tested on Thursday on the advice of the country’s chief medical officer after showing “mild symptoms” of a temperature and a persistent cough.
British health secretary Matt Hancock was also confirmed to have the virus. Hancock, 41, tweeted: “Thankfully my symptoms are mild.”
The diagnoses of Johnson and Hancock are the latest evidence that no one — no matter how high-profile — is untouched by the global pandemic.
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed on Friday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus and will remain in isolation in No. 10, Downing Street. The stunning announcement was soon followed by similar revelations from UK health secretary Matt Hancock and chief medical officer Chris Whitty.
Johnson, 55, has been leading the UK government’s response to the pandemic alongside Hancock and Whitty, among other key figures such as chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance. Whitty and Vallance have often joined Johnson at daily briefings.
The UK’s top three figures in the fight against the virus testing positive was followed by figures of the sharpest rise in the number of daily deaths in the UK - 759, up from 578 on Thursday. The total number of cases stood at 14,579. Large exhibition centres in London, Birmingham and Manchester are being turned into hospitals with the military’s support.
Earlier in the day, it was widely reported in the British media that the lockdown in the UK could last for up to six months.
Johnson said he will continue to lead the government’s response to the coronavirus from home, but if he is unable to perform his duties as the PM, Downing Street announced earlier this week that foreign secretary
Dominic Raab will take charge of the government. Hancock has been closely involved in the crisis response, including stacking boxes of masks and protective equipment to be transported to medical staff across the UK.
Johnson’s announcement sparked a flood of messages on social media from people inside and outside the UK, including from leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who tweeted, “You’re a fighter and you will overcome this challenge as well. Prayers for your good health and best wishes in ensuring a healthy UK.”
Johnson took part in the nationwide applause to NHS workers at 8pm on Thursday outside the door of No 10, Downing Street, along with chancellor Rishi Sunak. Johnson’s partner, Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant, is also in self-isolation.
Prince Charles, who tested positive while in Scotland, thanked people for their support. His office in Clarence House said,
“He is enormously touched by your kind words.” Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have moved to Windsor Castle.
Johnson said in the video message, “I want to bring you up to speed on something that’s happening today, which is that I’ve developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus. That’s to say - a temperature and a persistent cough.
“And, on the advice of the chief medical officer, I’ve taken a test. That has come out positive. So I am working from home. I’m selfisolating. 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 the virus.”
Johnson is unlikely to appear in the daily press briefings in Downing Street, at which journalists are no longer physically present but put their questions via video-link. Thursday’s briefing was held by Sunak, who has not been tested since he does not have symptoms so far.
Johnson remained upbeat in his message but reiterated his core message in recent days: “Stay at home.”