Alister Jack at the despatch box during Scottish Questions where he stood in front of Boris Johnson (Picture: PA)

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has developed mild symptoms associated with coronavirus and is self-isolating, he has announced.

Mr Jack, the Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway, said he has not been tested for the virus and his symptoms are a mild temperature and a cough.

He said: ‘In the past 24 hours, I have developed mild symptoms associated with coronavirus.

‘In line with medical guidance, I am self-isolating and working from home.’


Britain’s Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack (Picture: EPA)

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for coronavirus, and is leading the country from self-isolation.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also tested positive, while Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has symptoms of coronavirus and is also self-isolating.



Alister Jack was pictured standing in front of Boris Johnson as he took Scottish Questions at the despatch box in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Mr Hancock was sitting on the other side of the Scottish Secretary on the Conservatives’ front bench.

At the evening press briefing yesterday, Cabinet minister Michael Gove declined to be drawn on whether MPs had too slow when it came to social distancing, saying the fact both Mr Johnson and Mr Hancock had Covid-19 showed the ‘virus does not discriminate’, adding: ‘We are all at risk.’

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 governmentâs response via video-conference as we fight this virus.



Together we will beat this. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri — Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2020

He said the rate of infection across the UK was doubling every two to three days.

Meanwhile, NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said NHS staff would start being tested for coronavirus from next week, including critical care nurses, intensive care staff, ambulance workers and GPs.

Yesterday, the UK coronavirus death toll reached 759 after another 181 people were confirmed dead.

It was the biggest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began, surpassing the previous day’s record of 115.

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