The chief executive of BT has been diagnosed with COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus.

Philip Jansen, 53, tested positive late on Thursday afternoon and said he is following the Public Health England protocols to isolate himself.

He said he decided to go public because he had attended an event earlier in the week with other figures in the mobile phone industry.

BT said it is now working closely with Public Health England to deep clean relevant parts of its group headquarters and will ensure those employees who have had contact with Mr Jansen are told.

Mr Jansen said: "Having felt slightly unwell I decided as a precaution to be tested.


"As soon as the test results were known I isolated myself at home."

"I've met several industry partners this week so felt it was the responsible thing to do to alert them to this fact as soon as I could."

"Given my symptoms seem relatively mild, I will continue to lead BT but work with my team remotely over the coming week. There will be no disruption to the business."

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Employees who have been in contact with the chief executive have been advised

to self-isolate.

Mr Jansen has been chief executive of the telecoms group for just over a year.

In the outbreak which began in China, 10 people have died in the UK after contracting COVID-19 and 590 people have been infected.