More than a dozen British MPs are now in self-isolation as fears spread about the extent of the coronavirus in the UK.
Security Minister James Brokenshire today announced he was self-isolating following a meeting with Australia's infected Interior Minister in the White House.
Mr Brokenshire said he had a breakfast meeting with Peter Dutton last week in Washington DC - and joined him at a 90-minute round table and press conference on child safety at the White House.
He tweeted: "Although I am feeling fit and well and have no obvious symptoms, from a precautionary principle I have decided to work from home for the next week."
He added: "I am very sorry to hear that [Mr] Dutton has tested positive for coronavirus and hope he makes a speedy recovery."
Four new Tory MPs - backbenchers William Wragg and Andrew Bridgen, Justice Minister Alex Chalk and newcomer Ruth Edwards - announced last night they were staying away from Parliament.
Mr Wragg has shown symptoms, Mr Bridgen met infected health minister Nadine Dorries, Mr Chalk had contacted with "an infected colleague" and Ms Edwards met the infected owner of Nottingham Forest FC.
Labour MP Olivia Blake added this morning: "I’m sorry to say that I am suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and therefore I will be self-isolating. I have cancelled all meetings and public engagements for at least the next week."
And Tory new MP Dehenna Davison tweeted: "As a precaution, I have been advised to self-isolate at home for 7 days. It is important we all play our part in following the NHS guidance. Rest assured I am working remotely, and am in regular contact with my amazing team. Urgent cases can be raised by phone, as ever."
Two further MPs who have not been named are newly in self-isolation, one Tory and one Labour , according to the Daily Telegraph.
Meanwhile Andrew Bridgen's wife slammed Ms Dorries - who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. Nevena Bridgen tweeted: ".@NadineDorries why you did not tell them that you set next to My husband Andrew Bridgen on Thursday in a tea room and that he can’t get the test now! I have the baby and a 75 years old mother jeopardised. You were treated but no one is coming to help us!"
The seven MPs self-isolated in the last 24 hours after the government ramped up advice to include anyone with a mild cough or temperature.
They add to six MPs who already went into self-isolation earlier in the week.
International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan today confirmed she was the unnamed Cabinet minister who was tested for COVID-19 this week.
She has now tested negative for the virus after speaking to Health Minister Nadine Dorries - who tested positive and is recovering - at an International Women's Day reception in Downing Street last Thursday.
As a precaution, a source close to Ms Trevelyan told the Mirror she will continue to self-isolate for a further seven days.
She is setting up conference calls from her home, a source said. "She’ll be cracking on with the job as normal".
Boris Johnson also attended the reception with pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds - and later attended a Westminster Abbey service with the Queen.
But he has not been tested because No10 sources say he didn't come into close contact with Ms Dorries.
Fellow Health minister Edward Argar - spotted coughing at the Commons despatch box - and Labour's Rachael Maskell also went into self-isolation earlier this week after meeting Ms Dorries.
Two further MPs did the same, but have not been named - bringing the total for the week as a whole to 11.
Tory MP William Wragg tweeted last night: "Given symptoms that have developed today, I’m following the up-to-date medical advice and will isolate myself for the next week.
"I will be using the NHS website to seek further advice and arrange to undertake any necessary tests."
Tory MP and Justice Minister Alex Chalk said: "Following a conversation I had with an infected colleague last week, Public Health England have advised me (and one or two others I understand) to self-isolate for a few days. The advice is given out of an abundance of caution, but I of course accept it.
"So, I’ll be staying up here in London instead of coming back to Cheltenham. Sorry I won’t be able to make the concert in Bethesda Church over the weekend.
"I should say that I feel absolutely as right as rain, and will be able to carry on a great deal of my constituency and ministerial duties from here.
"My heartfelt thanks go out to the army of medics, particularly in Gloucestershire, for all that they are doing to tackle this outbreak."
New Tory MP Ruth Edwards tweeted: "Last Friday, I was at the Nottingham Forest FC game and in proximity to the club’s owner, who has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.
"Under the circumstances self-isolation is the right thing to do. Although I'm self-isolating I can still be contacted via [email]."
Despite a spiralling number of MPs testing positive, Parliament remains open and there are no plans to shut it.
Boris Johnson last night warned many Brits will die from the outbreak, but he refused to shut schools or ban public gatherings – as medical chiefs revealed up to 10,000 may now be infected.
Senior Tory Jeremy Hunt last night broke ranks to brand the virus a "national emergency" and demand quicker action.
He warned Mr Johnson’s slow response to the coronavirus crisis could plunge the NHS into chaos as it struggles to cope with the rapidly rising number of cases.
The former Health Secretary told of his shock at the PM’s latest reaction to the outbreak, while medical chiefs fear the real number of infected Brits is between 5,000 and 10,000.
And he said measures like bans on care home visits - which still haven't been implemented - should already be in place.
Mr Hunt told BBC Newsnight: "I think it is surprising and concerning that we're not doing any of it at all when we have just four weeks before we get to the stage that Italy is at. You would have thought that every single thing we do in that four weeks would be designed to slow the spread of people catching the virus."
