Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock have coronavirus – and now Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has symptoms too

"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."

He'll be working from home for the meantime, he said.

I have developed minor symptoms of the coronavirus, a temperature and a persistent cough and on the advice of the chief medical officer I have taken a test. That has come out positive

Boris Johnson

Mr Hancock first developed symptoms on Wednesday after addressing the nation at a press conference on Tuesday alongside Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jenny Davies, and National Medical Director at NHS England Stephen Powis.

The PM won't be doing any of the daily press conferences while he is currently ill.

Michael Gove told today's Downing Street briefing: "The fact that the Prime Minister and Health Secretary have contracted the virus is a reminder that the virus does not discriminate.

"We are all at risk and that’s why it’s important we use social distancing measures."

It was also revealed this afternoon:

• Two more make-shift NHS hospitals will be set up in Birmingham and Manchester to help deal with the number of cases
• NHS workers on the frontline will start getting tested from this weekend
• Mr Gove warned that the number of cases was doubling ever three to four days - and it will take weeks to see the effect of the lockdown

Jenny Harries, the deputy chief medical officer, said the PM was tested because he is “central” to the fight against Covid-19.
She said: “The PM plays a very critical role in that and that was the basis for the testing.”

He will continue to lead the fight against the virus from his No11 bunker, Mr Gove said earlier.

But Boris will have to self-isolate for at least 14 days from his girlfriend and fiance, Carrie Symonds, 32, who is currently pregnant - and in the more "vulnerable" category.

Last night she posted a snap of herself and pet dog Dilyn, online saying she was currently self-isolating.

It's understood she left No11 a couple of days ago - and is thought to be in the couple's Camberwell flat.

Telegraph commentator Camilla Tominey, a friend of Carrie's, told ITV's This Morning: "She's in Camberwell with Dilyn the dog so she will not have any contact with the prime minister over the last few days".

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the large majority of pregnant women will experience only mild or moderate symptoms, including a cough, fever and shortness of breath.

But they have advised them to increase their social distancing and stay at home as much as possible.

It comes after the PM was snapped clapping to praise the NHS outside No10 just last night.

A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed the news, saying: “After experiencing mild symptoms yesterday, the Prime Minister was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty.

“The test was carried out in No 10 by NHS staff and the result of the test was positive.

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

At the moment the PM will continue to work, but it may mean that Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, will have to take over duties if the PM becomes more ill.

As the First Secretary of State he is the second most senior person in Government and technically the PM's deputy.

Just yesterday Boris took part in a G20 call with other leaders around the world to coordinate the international response.

No10 staff will have to stay 2m from the PM at all times - and will have to drop his meals outside his door.

The news comes just weeks after Boris said that he was continuing to shake hands with everyone, despite the risk of the virus spreading.

This morning a string of politicians - including Jeremy Corbyn - sent their best wishes to the PM and hoped he had a speedy recovery.

The Labour boss said: "I wish the Prime Minister a speedy recovery and hope his family are safe and healthy.

"Coronavirus can and does affect anyone. Everyone be safe. Our own health depends on everybody else."

The news has sparked worry about who else he could have infected.

Downing Street said this morning that others in contact with the PM did not need to do so unless they develop symptoms - and they were not aware of any other ministers having a test.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, seen with the PM outside No10 last night, has shown no signs of the bug and is not isolating.

Coronavirus victims are thought to be contagious for between two and 12 days before symptoms start appearing.

Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK's chief scientific adviser, said: "It looks quite likely that there is some degree of asymptomatic transmission.
"There’s definitely quite a lot of transmission very early in the disease when there are very mild symptoms."

Amid his busy schedule, Boris normally sees the Queen for their regular audience every week.

However, the PM has not seen Her Majesty in person for more than two weeks.

The Prime Minister had initially been expected to see her face-to-face on March 18 before she left for Windsor.

However, the Queen's diary has since confirmed the audience was held over the phone.

This means the last time she saw him was March 11 for their weekly chat.

All their following meetings were done by telephone.

Just this week, the palace released a photograph of the Queen, surrounded by dog statues, speaking on the phone with the PM on March 25.

The 93-year-old monarch is currently at Windsor with her 98-year-old husband Prince Philip.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said today: “Her Majesty The Queen remains in good health.

"The Queen last saw the PM on the 11th March and is following all the appropriate advice with regards to her welfare.

"We will not be commenting further."

Prince Charles, 71, meanwhile is in self-isolation in Scotland after testing positive to the bug.