Britain’s PM Boris Johnson (right) and health secretary Matt Hancock. (Credits: AP)
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that he has tested positive for coronavirus after experiencing “mild symptoms”, becoming the first world leader to announce the infection.
Minutes after Johnson’s announcement, his health secretary Matt Hancock tweeted that he too was infected and was in self-isolation.
In a video message posted on Twitter, the 55-year-old Johnson said he will continue to lead the UK government’s response to the deadly virus, which has claimed 578 lives in the country.
“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” Johnson said on Twitter.
“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,” he said.
Hancock, who is a key member of Johnson’s coronavirus “War Cabinet”, said in a video message that he will be self-isolating until Thursday.
“Following medical advice, I was advised to test for coronavirus. I’ve tested positive,” Hancock posted on Twitter.
The 41-year-old minister said: “Fortunately for me, the symptoms so far have been very mild so I’ve been able to carry on with the work driving forward the UK response.”
The two announcements sent shockwaves across the top rung of the UK government, with most senior ministers and civil servants in and out of 10 Downing Street as they work to curb the spread