Coronavirus strikes UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his health secretary and his chief medical adviser

Coronavirus strikes UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his health secretary and his chief medical adviser

The UK's response to the coronavirus pandemic was upended on Friday when the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his top health minister tested positive for the infection, and his chief medical adviser self-isolated after displaying symptoms.

Johnson announced his diagnosis during a remarkable video posted on social media, during which he said he would still lead the united kingdom government's efforts from self-isolation in an apartment in Downing Street. Minutes later, his secretary of state for health, Matt Hancock, also said he had the virus and would work from home.

The Prime Minister said he'd been tested on the recommendation of England's chief medic , Chris Whitty. A matter of hours later, Whitty said he was going into self-isolation after displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

The extraordinary developments raised the question of what percentage officials leading the UK's response to coronavirus had themselves been exposed thereto . 

Downing Street, the middle of power within the UK, may be a maze of cramped offices and narrow corridors, making it almost impossible for everybody working there to practice the government's own advice on social distancing.

On Thursday evening, after displaying symptoms but before learning the results of his test, Johnson appeared outside 10 Downing Street together with his chief minister of finance , Rishi Sunak, participating during a national moment of appreciation for the UK's health service workers. A Downing Street spokesperson said the pair were careful to stay at a secure distance.

Johnson was a late convert to the strict measures now in situ within the UK. Only a couple of weeks ago, he boasted of shaking the hands of coronavirus patients in hospital, and therefore the UK faced criticism for a more cautious approach to the restrictive measures adopted by its European neighbors.

"Over the last 24 hours I even have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus," Johnson said in his Friday Twitter post. "I am now self-isolating, but i will be able to still lead the government's response via video-conference as we fight this virus. Together we'll beat this."

In a video, Johnson said he was experiencing a temperature and a persistent cough, which are key symptoms of the virus. 

He added that he was performing from home and self-isolating. "But be in little question that I can continue, because of the wizardry of recent technology, to speak with all my top team to steer the national fightback against coronavirus," he said.

Johnson will add isolation from his four-bedroom apartment in Downing Street. The infection also raises concerns over Johnson's fiancee, Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant, and therefore the myriad of other officials and advisers who add close quarters in Downing Street.

Whitty, who has appeared alongside Johnson at many of the daily press conferences held at Downing Street within the past fortnight , said he would spend subsequent week reception . 

"After experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID-19 last night, in line with the guidance, i will be able to be self-isolating reception for subsequent seven days. 

I will be able to be continuing to advise the govt on the medical response to Coronavirus, supported by my deputies," Whitty wrote on his Twitter page.

The announcements come just over every week after a top government adviser on the virus, Neil Ferguson, said he believed he had been infected and warned: "There may be a lot of Covid-19 in Westminster," pertaining to the world of London that's home to the united kingdom Parliament and other government premises.

Ferguson had met with the Prime Minister, also as Whitty, and Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance. it had been unclear, however, where Johnson may have contracted the virus.

Days earlier, the heir to the united kingdom throne, Charles , revealed that he had contracted the virus and was isolating himself at his estate in Scotland.

Johnson had been criticized for continuing to shake people's hands publicly while government advice was to stay around two meters faraway from people . 

The Prime Minister, Whitty and Vallance are giving regular in-person press conferences to journalists on the virus after meetings.

His government has also come struggling to check for the virus more widely and to supply WHO standard protective gear for doctors and nurses across the country.

In the event that Johnson is unable to satisfy all his duties as prime minister, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would be expected to face in his place. Raab previously served as Brexit Secretary under the govt led by Theresa May. 

He stepped down after the united kingdom and EU agreed on a draft Brexit deal, which he claimed had "fatal flaws."

Johnson last met with Queen Elizabeth on March 11, Buckingham Palace said Friday. "The Queen last saw the PM on the 11th March and is following all the acceptable advice with regards to her welfare," the palace said during a statement.

British health authorities announced another 181 fatalities on Friday, bringing the price to 759. quite 14,500 infections are recorded, but because the UK isn't testing widely, true infection numbers are likely to be much higher.

Source: CNN