England's health secretary Matt Hancock has tested positive for coronavirus, it has been announced.
The news comes within hours of confirmation that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also contracted Covid-19 and is self-isolating.
Mr Hancock tweeted on Friday: "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."
Mr Hancock said in a video message that he would be self-isolating until next Thursday.
“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 also said a “massive thank you to everybody in the NHS, working in social care and right across the board on the response”.
“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.”
On Friday, after confirming he had tested positive, Mr Johnson also said he would continue to work as he pledged to lead the “national fightback” against coronavirus.
The Prime Minister said he had mild symptoms – including a high temperature and persistent cough – and will work from his flat in Number 11 for the next week.
Mr Johnson and Mr Hancock have been working closely with the country’s top medics including chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.
It is not known whether they have also been tested but Downing Street said the advice on social distancing had been observed in Number 10.
