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Health minister Nadine Dorries has tested positive for coronavirus.

Ms Dorries, 62, has been self-isolating at home since Friday and is understood to be recovering after being diagnosed with the deadly illness.

But she had reportedly met hundreds of people in parliament over the past week and attended a reception with Boris Johnson at Number 10.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Health and Social Care initially said all health ministers including Health Secretary Matt Hancock were to undergo testing for the virus, but later retracted the statement.

The department said there were currently no plans for any of the ministers to be tested.

Ms Dorries, who has played a role in drawing up legislation to tackle COVID-19, said she took "all advised precautions" as soon as she was informed she had tested positive.

Her diagnosis will likely raise questions over whether measures need to be taken to stop the spread of the disease further in parliament.

The revelation comes after the sixth person died from the virus in the UK, which so far has a total of 382 cases.

The MP said she was making a recovery, but had concerns for her 84-year-old mother who was to undergo testing having exhibited potential symptoms of Covid-19.

Ms Dorries tweeted: "It's been pretty rubbish but I hope I'm over the worst of it now. More worried about my 84yo mum who is staying with me and began with the cough today.

"She is being tested tomorrow."

The Department of Health (DoH) confirmed Ms Dorries's diagnosis, which was first reported by The Times on Tuesday night.

The newspaper said the minister fell ill on Friday last week as she was signing a statutory instrument that declared coronavirus to be a “notifiable disease”.

However, the DoH said she first exhibited symptoms at some time on Thursday - the same day she attended a Downing Street event hosted by Prime Minister Mr Johnson to mark International Women's Day.

Health Secretary Mr Hancock tweeted: "Really sorry to hear Nadine has tested positive for coronavirus. She has done the right thing by self isolating at home, and both NHS and PHE staff have been brilliant. We all wish her well as she recovers.

"I understand why people are worried about this disease. We will do all we can to keep people safe, based on the best possible science."

Ms Dorries said in a statement: "I can confirm I have tested positive for coronavirus.

"As soon as I was informed I took all advised precautions and have been self isolating at home.

"Public Health England has started detailed contact tracing and the department and my parliamentary office are closely following their advice."

A government source told The Times the case would be treated “like any other.”

They added: “Officials are conducting the standard process of contact tracing and identifying anyone who has shown symptoms.”

The identity of the individual who infected Ms Dorries was not immediately clear.

Ahead of Ms Dorries' diagnosis, parliamentary authorities had decided against closing the Palace of Westminster over the outbreak.