Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus

Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus and will self-isolate in Downing Street.

The Prime Minister has mild symptoms and will still be in charge of the government’s handling of the crisis, leading the nation via video-conferences.

Confirming the diagnosis on his official Twitter account, the PM said he had a temperature and persistent cough. Shortly after, health secretary Matt Hancock also revealed he had tested positive for the disease.

Mr Johnson said: ‘Hi folks I want to bring you up to speed with something that’s happening today which is i have developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus. That’s to say a temperature and persistent cough.


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Boris Johnson revealed he tested positive for Covid-19 on his twitter account (Picture: PA)

‘On the advice of the chief medical officer that has come out positive so I am working from home, self-isolating and that’s entirely the right thing to do.



‘But be in no doubt that thanks to the wizardry of modern technology i can continue to communicate with my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.’

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The PM went on to thank the NHS and said he was ‘moved’ by yesterday’s nationwide round of applause for health workers.

The streets of Britain lit up last night as thousands of people across the country opened their doors and windows to clap NHS workers on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.

Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak stand two feet apart as they clap for the NHS (Picture: Sky)

Boris Johnson said he was moved by the nationwide round of applause and thanked the NHS as he confirmed he had coronavirus (Picture: EPA)

After thanking the health service Mr Johnson said: ‘It’s not just the NHS, it’s our police and social care workers and teachers or DWP staff. It’s an amazing effort by our national effort by our public services but also every member of the British public.’

He said that over 600,000 people have responded the government’s appeal for volunteers to help those being forced to self isolate for the next 12 weeks. The initial target was 250,000 and it has now been raised to 750,000 after the overwhelming response.

He thanked Brits for complying with the strict lockdown he enforced on Monday, saying ‘The more effectively we all comply the faster our country will come through this epedemic and the faster we will all bounce back’.

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A number of politicians have wished the Prime Minister a full recovery, including some of his most high profile critics.

Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: ‘I wish the Prime Minister a speedy recovery and hope his family are safe and healthy. Coronavirus can and does affect anyone. Everyone be safe. Our own health depends on everybody else.’

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott tweeted: ‘I don’t wish anyone ill. I wish the Prime Minister a speedy recovery. I hope everyone in coming days gets the care and medical attention they need.’

Nigel Farage posted: ‘Wishing @BorisJohnson well and a very rapid recovery.’

And former chancellor Sajid Javid, who quit the cabinet earlier this year replied: ‘Get well soon. Sending you best wishes from Javid family and Bailey .’

I wish the Prime Minister a speedy recovery and hope his family are safe and healthy.



Coronavirus can and does affect anyone. Everyone be safe. Our own health depends on everybody else. — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 27, 2020

Sorry to hear this and hope you feel better soon. Thank you for everything your Government is doing to help us fight this.



This is a reminder that anyone can get #COVID19. We must all follow the rules and stay at home to support our amazing NHS staff to save lives. https://t.co/a0lTutUrYK — Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 27, 2020

I don’t wish anyone ill.

I wish the Prime Minister a speedy recovery.

I hope everyone in coming days gets the care and medical attention they need https://t.co/anDWB3m1xe — Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) March 27, 2020

The Prime Minister also received well wishes off the World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

He tweeted: ‘Please take good care PM @BorisJohnson. I wish you an easy recovery. Thank you for calling on your nation to follow @NHSuk’s guidance. Your leadership and commitment to beating the coronavirus are key to saving lives’.



Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also thanked the PM for everything the government has done in the battle against the disease, adding ‘we must all follow the rules and stay at home to support our amazing NHS and save lives’.

Boris Johnson has received support from politicians around the world after testing positive for coronavirus (Credits: via REUTERS)

One issue that will be of concern for the prime minister is that because his fiance Carrie Symonds is pregnant, she falls into one of the more vulnerable groups. The 32-year-old, who is believed to be six months pregnant, left Downing Street over the weekend and has not seen her 55-year-old partner for the ‘last few days’, according to reports.

Boris Johnson’s diagnosis has also sparked fears for the Queen’s welfare, after it emerged the 93-year-old monarch met with the PM on March 11. She also met with her son Prince Charles on March 12, who tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week.

Buckingham Palace said Her Majesty is following all the appropriate advice and insist she is in good health.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who has worked closely with the PM on the government’s response, is not understood to be self-isolating, according to treasury sources.

Boris Johnson’s girlfriend Carrie Symonds is six months pregnant and falls into the vulnerable group of people who will have to isolate for three months (Credits: REX)

Confirming that Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: ‘After experiencing mild symptoms yesterday, the Prime Minister was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.

‘The test was carried out in No 10 by NHS staff and the result of the test was positive. In keeping with the guidance, the Prime Minister is self-isolating in Downing Street.


‘He is continuing to lead the government’s response to coronavirus.’

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