LONDON, March 27 - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that he has tested positive for coronavirus after experiencing �mild symptoms� and is now self-isolating at 10 Downing Street. In a video message posted on Twitter, the 55-year-old UK Prime Minister said that he will continue to lead the UK government�s response to the deadly virus, which has claimed 578 lives.
�Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,� Johnson 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,� he said.
The announcement has sent shockwaves across the top rung of the UK government, with most senior ministers and civil servants in and out of Downing Street as they work to curb the spread of the pandemic.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has previously tested negative for the deadly virus after displaying cough symptoms, will be the next in command in case Johnson has to take some time off if he gets more ill.
The news comes just days after it was confirmed that Prince Charles had been diagnosed with COVID-19 but was displaying similarly mild symptoms. � PTI
