The Prime Minister of United Kingdom Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus, BBC reported on Friday (21 March).
"He was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty," a Downing Street. statement said.
Johnson has mild symptoms and will self-isolate.
He will still be in charge of the government's handling of the crisis, the statement added.
Johnson confirmed this news via a video statement on his official twitter account. He is now self-isolating but will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference.
Johnson is the first major head of state to test positive for Covid-19. Earlier there were rumours of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro contacting the virus but they were eventually shot down by the president.
The virus though has led Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to self isolate after the former’s wife and latter’s physician tested positive for coronavirus.
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