UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock tests positive for coronavirus after Boris Johnson diagnosis

UK Health Secretary, Matt Hancock has tested positive for coronavirus, just hours after Prime minister Boris Johnson announced he had also contracted COVID-19.

The 41-year-old who is overseeing the efforts of the NHS to cope with the epidemic in UK announced the news on Twitter, saying he had experienced mild symptoms of the virus and will be self-isolating until next Thursday.

He wrote on Twitter: Following medical advice, I was advised to test for #Coronavirus. I‘ve tested positive. Thankfully my symptoms are mild and I’m working from home & self-isolating.

Following medical advice, I was advised to test for #Coronavirus.
I‘ve tested positive. Thankfully my symptoms are mild and I’m working from home & self-isolating.
Vital we follow the advice to protect our NHS & save lives#StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/TguWH6Blij
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 27, 2020

In his video message, he also 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 UK response.”

He added: “I’ll be continuing to do everything I can to get our carers the support that they need. And I’ll be doing that from here but with no less gusto.

“And then from next Thursday, once I’m out of self-isolation and I hope with no more symptoms, then I’ll be able to get back stuck in and into the office where necessary.

“But the truth is that all of us can learn that working from home can be really, really effective.”

“In keeping with the guidance, the Prime Minister is self-isolating in Downing Street.

“He is continuing to lead the government’s response to coronavirus.”

The news comes after UK prime minister Boris Johnson revealed he had tested positive coronavirus after suffering mild symptoms – including high temperature and persistent cough.