UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Becomes First World Leader to Test Positive for The Coronavirus

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for the new coronavirus, he announced on Friday.

“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” he said on Twitter. “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.”

In a video posted to Twitter, Johnson said he had a fever and a persistent cough and was tested on the advice of doctors.

"I've taken a test. That has come out positive," he said, adding that he would work from home until he recovered. “And that's entirely the right thing to do."

"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," he added.

Coronavirus reaches top government officials:

Though Johnson is the first head of a major country to contract the virus, numerous top world officials have tested positive, include British Health Secretary Matt Hancock, CNN reports. Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, also tested positive.

In the United States, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Utah Rep. Ben McAdams, and Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart tested positive for the virus and prompted other members of Congress to self-isolate.

The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tested positive as well, prompting her husband to self-isolate as well.

Numerous officials in Brazil, Italy, Iran, France, and Spain have also tested positive.

UK hit hard:

The number of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom rose to nearly 12,000 on Friday.

At least 578 people have died from the virus.

The number of new confirmed cases has doubled in the UK from three days earlier.

After being reluctant to close down businesses early, the UK has since imposed a strict lockdown that could last for weeks.

 

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