Professor who met Boris Johnson in London on Monday to advise him on coronavirus is in isolation with fever
A PROFESSOR who met with Boris Johnson on Monday and advised him to trigger the government's drastic coronavirus lockdown is now self isolating with a fever.
Professor Ferguson, who warned if we didn't ramp up the fight against the killer bug 260,000 would die, has now fallen ill.
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He tweeted today: "Sigh. Developed a slight dry but persistent cough yesterday and self isolated even though I felt fine.
"Then developed high fever at 4am today. There is a lot of COVID-19 in Westminster."
The leading scientist was in a meeting with the Prime Minister and Health Secretary on Monday.
It comes as the number of positive cases of the deadly virus surged to 2,626 today, with 104 deaths now reported.
Journalist Paul Waugh posted: "The man whose report led to a dramatic acceleration of UK fight against coronavirus is himself now in self-isolation.
"Prof Ferguson was with the PM, health sec and senior No.10 advisers on Monday."
Frantic people on social media immediately suggested Boris Johnson should self isolate after spending time with the unwell professor.
Health minister Nadine Dorries tested positive for COVID-19 after mingling with staff and ministers in Westminster, and multiple MPs have since self-isolated after the bug invaded Parliament.
Brits have been told not to leave the house unless necessary and to work from home where possible, and avoid social contact.
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A team from Imperial College London, led by Professor Ferguson, said the new tighter controls could limit deaths to around 20,000 - with the leading professor admitting the best case scenario would still see tens of thousands die.
The country could be stuck in a state of "permanent outbreak" and lockdown until a vaccine is found - which is at least a year away - experts warned.
Professor Ferguson, director of the MRC centre at Imperial, said yesterday the UK is three weeks behind Italy, warning there was "no time to lose" as the NHS will be "overwhelmed many times over" in the fight against COVID-19.
Yesterday it was announced the Ministry of Defence is planning to deploy 4,000 medics to help the struggling NHS deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
GPs, surgeons and nurses are being lined up as part of drastic measures to stop the spread of the killer bug.
It is feared many businesses will not survive the lockdown, as customers stay at home.
It comes after 45-year-old Craig Ruston was named as the UK's youngest victim of the virus - as his devastated wife paid an emotional tribute.
The "amazing" father-of-two, from Kettering, Northants, who had motor neurone disease, succumbed to the killer bug in hospital yesterday.
Craig's wife Sally broke news of the death on her husband's Facebook page ‘Me and my MND’.
She said: “My amazing Craig passed away yesterday morning at 6.20am. We are truly heartbroken.
"Last Tuesday he was taken unwell and we have since spent the last 6 days in isolation.
"Craig’s chest infection was confirmed as Covid-19.
"How dare that take Craig who was already facing this (MND), the most vile and evil of diseases.”
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Sally paid tribute to her husband, who was given two years to live when he was diagnosed with MND in June 2018 but “was pushing that back”.
In the first case, nine-month-old Cassian Coates was rushed to hospital by his worried parents because he had a cold and fever.
