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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson & Health Minister Matt Hancock Test Positive For Coronavirus

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Friday he had tested positive for coronavirus, as did the country’s health minister.

Johnson said in a video posted on social media that he had a temperature and cough, but is healthy enough to lead the country and its response to the pandemic.

“Be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fight back against coronavirus,” he said.


The U.K. has struggled with containing the virus; it currently has over 13,000 active coronavirus cases and over 750 deaths.

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A few hours after the prime minister’s announcement, Health Secretary Matt Hancock also said he had tested positive for the virus and would be self-quarantining for a week.

“Upon medical advice I was tested and that test has been positive so I’ll be self-isolating here until next Thursday,” Hancock said. “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 U.K.’s response.”


Johnson will be self-isolating in No. 11 Downing Street for seven days. Government documents and meals will be delivered to his door, and the office is equipped with video conferencing software.

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Katherine Huggins

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Katherine Huggins

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