The UK Health secretary, Matt Hancock, has tested positive for coronavirus.
Mr Hancock said in a video message that he would be self-isolating until next Thursday.
“Fortunately for me the symptoms so far have been very mild so I’ve been able to carry on with the work driving forward the UK response.”
Following medical advice, I was advised to test for #Coronavirus.
I‘ve tested positive. Thankfully my symptoms are mild and I’m working from home & self-isolating.
Vital we follow the advice to protect our NHS & save lives#StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/TguWH6Blij
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 27, 2020
He also said a “massive thank you to everybody in the NHS, working in social care and right across the board on the response”.
“I’ll be continuing to do everything I can to get our carers the support that they need. And I’ll be doing that from here but with no less gusto.”
“And then from next Thursday, once I’m out of self-isolation and I hope with no more symptoms, then I’ll be able to get back stuck in and into the office where necessary.
“But the truth is that all of us can learn that working from home can be really, really effective.”
The announcement comes shorty after Prime Minister Boris Johnson also confirmed he had contracted the disease.
In a video on his Twitter account, Mr Johnson said he had developed a temperature and a persistent cough. He also confirmed he would be working from home in self-isolation.
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
