British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has gone into isolation after coming into contact with a person infected with the novel coronavirus, a Downing Street spokesperson said on Sunday evening.
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The head of government, who was severely affected by COVID-19 several months ago, feels “good” and has “no symptoms” of the disease, the same source said, adding that he would continue to work from Downing Street, “notably to lead the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic”.
Boris Johnson has been informed through the public health service, NHS, case tracing that he needs to self-isolate after contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. “The Prime Minister is going to follow the rules and have gone into solitary confinement,” a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement.
The duration of the Prime Minister’s solitary confinement has not been specified, but in a case like this it is according to the rules currently in force set at 14 days, according to the NHS website.
Boris Johnson had met a small group of MPs in Downing Street on Thursday morning, including Lee Ashfield, who later developed symptoms and tested positive. The meeting lasted about 35 minutes.
The Prime Minister plans to address the country during his isolation, according to Downing Street, and will provide more details when the time comes. He must study with the services of the Parliament how he can take part in the business of this one.
Affected in April by COVID-19, Boris Johnson had spent about a week in hospital in London, including three days in intensive care. He thanked the caregivers who “saved his life”, citing in particular the nurses present at his side during the 48 hours when “everything could have changed”.
With nearly 52,000 dead within 28 days of testing positive, the UK is the country hardest hit in Europe by the pandemic that has claimed 1.3 million lives worldwide.
England is currently experiencing its second lockdown, scheduled to end on December 2, after four weeks.