British Prime Minister, Health Secretary are first world leaders who have contracted COVID-19

327

Published by BBN Staff at March 27, 2020

Tags

Posted: Friday, March 27, 2020. 10:23 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday he has tested positive for COVID-19, but remains in charge of the United Kingdom’s response to the outbreak.

He is thought to be the first world leader to announce they have the virus.

Johnson’s office said he was tested on the advice of the chief medical officer after showing mild symptoms.

It said Johnson is self-isolating at his 10 Downing St. residence and continuing to lead the country’s response to COVID-19.

According to the BBC, Johnson said he had developed mild symptoms over the past 24 hours, including a fever and cough.

It comes as another 181 people died with the virus in a day, latest government figures showed. This takes the total number of UK deaths to 759, with 14,579 confirmed cases.

Following Johnson’s announcement, Health Secretary Matt Hancock also said he had tested positive for the virus.

Hancock said his symptoms were also mild and he was working from home and self-isolating.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed Queen Elizabeth II, 93, saw Johnson more than two weeks ago on 11 March, and she is in good health.

The pair usually meet weekly for the prime minister’s audience, but the most recent meetings have been over the phone.

Her son Charles, Prince of Wales, 71, also tested positive for the virus earlier this week. He is said to be displaying mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health,” a spokesman said. He is self-isolating in his residence at Birkhall, on the Balmoral estate and continues to work.

Other world leaders including Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Germany’s Angela Merkel have self-isolated after coming into contact with people who have tested positive for the virus.

Concerns have been raised about whether Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro may possibly already have the virus. He has twice said that his test came back negative, but has refused to provide proof.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.