British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced via a Twitter video Friday morning that he has tested positive for the COVID-19 Chinese coronavirus.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, file screen image.
Johnson is the first major world leader to test positive for the virus.
“Over the last 24 hours 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. #StayHomeSaveLives”
Over the last 24 hours 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. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2020
Johnson, 55, and girlfriend Carrie Symonds 31, announced last month they are engaged to be married. The couple are expecting a child this summer.
UPDATE: UK Telegraph reporter Christopher Hope via Twitter:
UPDATE ON PM’S HEALTH- Boris Johnson felt ill with mild cough and temperature yesterday and was tested late afternoon he got the results at midnight- PM is in 11 Downing Street and has now been sealed off for seven days- PM will run the UK’s Coronavirus crisis by videophone 1/
– The PM’s meals are left at doors between 10 and 11 Downing Street- Number 10 is not doing contact tracing but has advised that if anyone feels ill after seeing the PM they should self-isolate 2/
– Number 10 refuses to say whether the PM is with his pregnant girlfriend Carrie Symonds in 11 Downing Street
– PM was deliberately standing apart from Rishi Sunak -who is now working in the Treasury – when he led the applause for NHS workers at 8pm on Thursday night 3/
UPDATE ON PM'S HEALTH
– Boris Johnson felt ill with mild cough and temperature yesterday and was tested late afternoon he got the results at midnight
– PM is in 11 Downing Street and has now been sealed off for seven days
– PM will run the UK's Coronavirus crisis by videophone 1/— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) March 27, 2020
– The PM's meals are left at doors between 10 and 11 Downing Street
– Number 10 is not doing contact tracing but has advised that if anyone feels ill after seeing the PM they should self-isolate 2/— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) March 27, 2020
– Number 10 refuses to say whether the PM is with his pregnant girlfriend Carrie Symonds in 11 Downing Street
– PM was deliberately standing apart from Rishi Sunak -who is now working in the Treasury – when he led the applause for NHS workers at 8pm on Thursday night 3/— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) March 27, 2020
Thursday night, Johnson participated in a national show of support for the U.K.’s medical staff.
On behalf of the whole country, I want to thank all the incredible nurses, doctors, NHS support staff & carers who are working flat out to fight coronavirus 👏 #ClapForOurCarers #ClapForNHS
To help them, and protect the NHS, we need everyone to stay at home #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/kpdQ5KHQiy
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 26, 2020