British Prime Minister infected with nCoV
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for nCoV and is self-isolating at Downing Street with mild symptoms.
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves his office at 10 Downing Street, London on March 18. Photo:AFP. |
"Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating but will continue to lead the government's response via video conference in the fight against coronavirus. Together we will defeat this pandemic. Stay home and save others," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video posted on Twitter on March 27. He said his symptoms included a fever and a persistent cough.
A spokesman for 10 Downing Street, the British Prime Minister's residence, said Mr Johnson had mild symptoms of suspected Covid-19 infection on March 26, a day after he attended the weekly meeting. It is not yet clear how many staff at the Prime Minister's residence and ministers need to be quarantined.
The spokesman added that Johnson had been tested for nCoV on the advice of Professor Chris Whitty, the UK government's chief medical adviser.
On March 22, the British Prime Minister's Office appointed Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab as a replacement in case Johnson is unable to lead due to Covid-19 infection. Foreign Secretary Raab has been tested for Covid-19 twice and both results were negative.
Johnson's spokesman said he would self-isolate for seven days instead of the 14 days required by other British citizens. Number 11 Downing Street, where Johnson lives, has been sealed off. The Prime Minister's meals and paperwork are left outside the door, with staff knocking on the door after delivering the items and leaving.
Prime Minister Johnson has not confirmed whether he is staying with his pregnant girlfriend Carrie Symonds. Times reporter Steven Swinford said Symonds is not living in Downing Street.
Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II last met Prime Minister Johnson on March 11 for her weekly briefing, and has since only had contact by phone. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Queen Elizabeth II's coronavirus testing, saying "she is following appropriate health advice."
Prince Charles also tested positive for nCoV two days ago, but also with mild symptoms, good health and still working from home. Duchess Camilla, Prince Charles' wife, tested negative for nCoV, is isolating with her husband at home in Scotland.
The UK has recorded more than 11,600 cases of nCoV infection, of which nearly 580 people have died and 135 have recovered. The number of deaths in the UK increased by 113 people in the past 24 hours, an average of 1 death every 13 minutes.
After breaking out in China in December 2019, Covid-19 has now spread to nearly 200 countries and territories, infecting more than half a million people and killing more than 21,000.
Several high-ranking officials from other countries have also been infected with the virus, including Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri and Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo. Several heads of state have also tested negative for the virus, including US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
