Coronavirus strikes UK PM, health sec. and chief medical adviser
London (CNN) - The
UK's response to the coronavirus pandemic was upended on Friday when
the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his top health minister tested
positive for the infection, and his chief medical adviser self-isolated
after displaying symptoms.
Johnson
announced his diagnosis in a video posted on social media, in which he
said he would continue to lead the UK government's efforts from
self-isolation in an apartment in Downing Street. Minutes later, his
secretary of state for health, Matt Hancock, also said he had the virus
and would work from home.
Later
that afternoon, England's chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said he
was going into self-isolation after displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
The
announcements come as British health authorities announced another 181
fatalities on Friday, bringing the death toll to 759. More than 14,500
infections have been recorded, but as the UK is not testing widely, true
infection numbers are likely to be much higher.
Johnson and Hancock join a long list of government officials around
the world who have been infected with the coronavirus. Johnson said
his symptoms were mild and that he could continue working as usual.
"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," Johnson wrote on Twitter.
In a video, Johnson said he
was experiencing a temperature and a persistent cough, which are key
symptoms of the virus, and that he had taken a test on the advice of the
Whitty, the chief medical officer. "I've taken a test. That has come
out positive," he said.
He added
that he was working from home and self-isolating. "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," he said.
Johnson
will work in isolation from his four-bedroom flat in Downing Street.
The infection also raises concerns over Johnson's fiancee, Carrie
Symonds, who is pregnant, and the myriad of other officials and advisers
who work in close quarters in Downing Street.
Whitty,
who has appeared alongside Johnson at many of the daily press
conferences held at Downing Street, said he would spend the next week at
home. "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," Whitty
wrote on his Twitter page.
The announcements also come just
over a week after a top government adviser on the virus, Neil Ferguson,
said he believed he had been infected and warned: "There is a lot of
Covid-19 in Westminster."
Ferguson
had met with the Prime Minister, as well as Whitty, and Chief Scientific
Adviser Patrick Vallance. It was unclear, however, where Johnson may
have contracted the virus.
Johnson
had been criticized for continuing to shake people's hands in public
while government advice was to keep around 2 meters away from other
people. The Prime Minister, Whitty and Vallance have been giving regular
in-person press conferences to journalists on the virus after meetings.
His
government has also come under pressure to test for the virus more
widely and to provide WHO standard protective gear for doctors and
nurses across the country.
In the
event that Johnson is unable to fulfill all his duties as prime
minister, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would be expected to stand in
his place.
Raab previously served
as Brexit Secretary under the government led by Theresa May. He stepped
down after the UK and EU agreed on a draft Brexit deal, which he
claimed had "fatal flaws."
The positive test comes just two days after the 71-year-old Prince Charles, heir to the throne, tested positive.
Johnson
last met with Queen Elizabeth II on March 11, Buckingham Palace said
Friday. "The Queen last saw the PM on the 11th March and is following
all the appropriate advice with regards to her welfare," the palace said
in a statement.
No comments