Tameside MP and shadow education secretary Angela Rayner has said she believes she has caught coronavirus and is self-isolating.
Shortly after the Prime Minister announced this morning that he had tested positive for the virus, the Labour frontbencher tweeted jokingly : “So me and Boris Johnson having the virus is pure coincidence - honest.”
She told the M.E.N. she has not been tested, unlike the Prime Minister, but is staying at home with a headache, breathlessness, high temperature, dry cough and a sore throat.
The Ashton-Under-Lyne MP - who is also favourite to win the party’s deputy leadership race - used the opportunity to stress the importance of people following social distancing measures and adhering to the government’s lockdown.
“This virus is highly contagious and people need to take the advice seriously and stay at home,” she said.
It came as the Prime Minister confirmed, in a video message posted to social media,.that he has tested positive for the virus today.
He said he is experiencing mild symptoms, including a cough, and would be self-isolating in Number 10 but continuing to run the government remotely using technology.
It remains unclear how many of his colleagues and advisers will also need to self-isolate as a result, or whether he will be staying with his pregnant partner, Carrie Symonds.
“I want to bring you up to speed on something that’s happening today which is that I’ve developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus,” he said.
“That’s to say - a temperature and a persistent cough.
“And, on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, I’ve taken a test. That has come out positive.
“So I am working from home. I’m self-isolating and that’s entirely the right thing to do.
“But be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.
“And I want to thank everybody who’s involved, I want to thank, above all, our amazing NHS staff.
“It was very moving last night to join in that national clap for the NHS.”
