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The government's coronavirus crisis deepened today after Michael Gove became the latest Cabinet minister to go into isolation.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is isolating at home after a member of his family began showing "mild" coronavirus symptoms on Sunday.

Aides insisted he was working as normal. But Mr Gove - who does not have symptoms himself - is yet another senior Cabinet minister to be hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

PM Boris Johnson remains in intensive care in London's St Thomas' Hospital, where he has been treated with oxygen and could have to be put on a ventilator.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty have both had, then recovered from Covid-19, while other Cabinet ministers have shown symptoms.

The crisis has prompted questions over exactly who is in charge over which aspects of the UK government while the PM is in intensive care.

(Image: via REUTERS)

First Secretary of State Dominic Raab is now "deputising" for the Prime Minister - but unlike the US there is no formal transfer of power, and the PM can only be appointed by the Queen.

Michael Goverefused today to say who would give orders if Britain is hit by a nuclear strike - saying only that "well-established protocols" are in place.

And he declined to answer if Mr Raab could hire or fire ministers, saying: "The Prime Minister always remains the Prime Minister."

Mr Gove said decisions would be taken "collectively" by the Cabinet in a "great team spirit".

He said: "Dominic Raab is in charge - we don't talk about national security matters."

But Former Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood, an ex-Army officer who chairs the Commons Defence Committee, feared Britain's enemies could seek to exploit our vulnerability.

He tweeted: “It is important to have 100% clarity as to where responsibility for UK national security decisions now lies. We must anticipate adversaries attempting to exploit any perceived weakness."

Mr Raab appeared to stifle a cough as he walked to chair the daily coronavirus meeting in No10 today.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Gove tweeted: "Many thanks for kind messages. In accordance with the guidance, I am isolating at home after a member of my family started to display mild symptoms of coronavirus on Sunday.

"I have not displayed any symptoms and am continuing to work as normal. #StayHomeSaveLives."

Mr Gove conducted a round of interviews on key broadcast channels from his home this morning, hours before it was revealed he is in isolation.

A source close to him said a member of his family is displaying symptoms "so in accordance with the guidance he is isolating at home, but continuing to work as normal.

"He is not displaying any symptoms."

It is not currently known when his isolation began or which family member is showing symptoms.

Mr Gove's wife Sarah Vine is a prominent journalist who tweeted on Sunday blaming Boris Johnson's over-work for his turn for the worst.

She wrote: "Boris has worked non-stop throughout his illness - and now we see the result."

(Image: Getty Images)

The pair have two teenage children, Will and Beatrice.

Surrey Heath MP Mr Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, conducted TV interviews this morning from his home.

He was last at the Downing Street daily press conference on Saturday.

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Public Health England advice is for those who live alone to self-isolate for 7 days after the onset of symptoms.

For households, the whole household should self-isolate for 14 days from the first day one member showed symptoms.

Boris Johnson's condition remained unchanged this morning in the ICU at St Thomas' Hospital.

(Image: 10 Downing Street/AFP via Getty)

He was thought to have have received a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) breathing aid. But his spokesman later denied this.

Allies this morning said Boris Johnson is not yet on a full mechanical ventilator - which is the next step.

Mr Gove told LBC Radio: "He's not on a ventilator no. The Prime Minister has received some oxygen support and he's kept under, of course, close supervision.

"And of course by being in intensive care, if there's further support he needs, then it's there at hand."

It is now 11 days since the Prime Minister was diagnosed with Covid-19 and Mr Gove admitted his condition had "deteriorated" last night.

Mr Johnson was taken to St Thomas' Hospital on Sunday night. For hours No10 insisted it was only a precaution and for tests - but aides dropped the description of his symptoms as "mild".

He initially tried to carry on working, including having a red box in the hospital, but gave up last night shortly before being taken to intensive care.