UK leader Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus
London, Mar 27 (efe-epa).- The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday said he had tested positive for coronavirus.
The Conservative Party leader said in a video shared on Twitter that he had taken a test on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer after developing mild symptoms of a temperature and a persistent cough.
“I am working from home, I’m self-isolating and that’s entirely the right thing to do,” he added.
“But 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 fightback against coronavirus.”
Almost 11,000 people have contracted coronavirus in the UK since the outbreak began and 578 people have died after contracting the virus.
Johnson urged the population to adhere to the restrictions adopted by the government on Monday and thanked frontline workers in the National Health Service, the police, schools and everyone staying at home to help stop the spread of the virus.
He said there had been an “amazing national effort by the public services” he also thanked the 600,000 Brits who have volunteered during the crisis.
“We will get through it and the way we’re gonna get through it is of course by applying the measures you have heard so much about.
“And the more effectively we all comply with those measures, the faster our country will come through this epidemic and the faster we’ll bounce back.”
The UK held a nationwide round of applause on Thursday in solidarity with NHS workers, following the example of countries like Spain, where the tribute has become a nightly activity.
Under the new restrictions, residents of the UK have to be told to stay at home and work remotely where possible. People are allowed to leave once a day for exercise.
The news of Johnson’s infection came two days after it was announced that Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, had also tested positive for the virus.
The Prince of Wales, 71, was displaying mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health” and went into self isolation at Balmoral in Scotland, according to a palace official. EFE-EPA
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