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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the new coronavirus, he said Friday on Twitter.
“I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus,” the 55-year-old Johnson said on Twitter.
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 government’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
Johnson said so far he is experiencing mild symptoms.
He was tested for COVID-19 after developing a cough and fever, he said.
“I’ve taken a test, that’s come out positive so I am working from home, I am self-isolating, and that’s entirely the right thing to do,” Johnson said in a video posted to Twitter.
Johnson did not appear at a daily news conference on Thursday, according to The New York Times, that was led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak. Sunak outlined a plan to protect employees who have lost money as the virus has spread.
Johnson later made an evening appearance with Sunak where the two maintained a healthy distance from one another, the Times reported.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will replace Johnson if he becomes too ill to work, a government spokesman said.
Other members of Johnson’s staff were expected to go into self-isolation as a precautionary measure.
He is the second extremely high-profile British figure to test positive. Earlier this week, Prince Charles announced that he has the virus.