UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus

The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson tests positive for the novel coronavirus. This was confirmed in a tweet sent by the Prime Minister, with a 2 minutes video attached.

In the video, Boris Johnson said he developed mild symptoms over the past 24 hours, including a temperature and cough.

The Prime Minister said he will now self-isolate in No 10 Downing Street but he will “continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus”.

The UK Prime Minister was last seen on Thursday night, as he clapped outside No 10 as part of a nationwide gesture to thank NHS staff.

In a video on his Twitter account, Boris Johnson, 55, 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.

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

“So thank you to everybody who’s doing what I’m doing, working from home to stop the spread of the virus from household to household,” he added.

“That’s the way we’re going to win.”

Mr Johnson was tested at No 10 by NHS staff, on the personal advice of England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, Downing Street said.

He will still be in charge of the government’s handling of the crisis, the statement added. Earlier this week, the prime minister’s spokesman said if Mr Johnson was unwell and unable to work, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, as the first secretary of state, was the selected minister to stand in.

Mr. Johnson’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds is living with him. It is not known if they will continue living together as she is several months pregnant.