The coronavirus pandemic struck the United Kingdom hard, on Friday, not just with its infection rates that have been spiralling and rose from 181 to 759, but also with Prime Minister Boris Johnson testing positive.
Johnson’s top health minister also tested positive even as the PM’s chief medical adviser will self-isolate in his 10 Downing Street apartment after showing symptoms of the disease.
Johnson, 55, broke the news of his infection through his official twitter handle, and a remarkable video posted on social media, declaring that he decided to self-isolate and work from home having developed mild symptoms of the viral infection, namely: a temperature and persistent cough – over the last 24 hours.
“Over the last 24 hours,” the Prime Minister said in the tweet, “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.”
The PM’s infection raises deep concerns over the health/COVID-19 status of his pregnant girlfriend, Carrie Symonds.
Moments after Johnson announced his diagnosis, his secretary of state for health, Matt Hancock, also declared that he had the virus, would self-isolate for seven days and work from home.
Chris Whitty , the man who advised Johnson to submit to the COVID-19 test, who is also England’s chief medical officer, also announced, hours later, that he too was going into self-isolation after displaying symptoms of the deadly viral infection.
Whitty, who had appeared with Johnson at his daily press briefings at Downing Street in the past two weeks, wrote on his Twitter page: “After experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID-19 last night, in line with the guidance, I will be self-isolating at home for the next seven days. I will be continuing to advise the Government on the medical response to Coronavirus, supported by my deputies.”
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday that although the Prime Minister met with Queen Elizabeth II on March 11, the Queen “is following all the appropriate advice with regards to her welfare.”
The United Kingdom, as at Friday, had recorded more than 14,500 infections, and 759 fatalities, with Friday being its worst day so far with 181 deaths. The country’s health authorities even fear that the figure may spiral as testing had not been wide enough.
