Health secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that he has tested positive for Covid-19 but so far only has “very mild” symptoms.
The newly appointed health secretary who has only been in the job a few weeks after taking over from Matt Hancock revealed that he took a lateral flow test on Friday night after he felt a “bit groggy.”
In a video released on Twitter, the 51-year-old said: “I was feeling a bit groggy last night, so I took a lateral flow test this morning and it’s come out positive, so I’m now self-isolating at home with my family until I get the results of a PCR test.
“I’m grateful that I’ve had two jabs of the vaccine and so far my symptoms are very mild.”
Javid, who has had both vaccination jabs has urged those who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 year to “get out there and get them as soon as you can.”
It is not yet known when Javid was exposed to the virus or which other members of parliament he would have come into contact with in the past few days. He added: “If everyone plays their part, you’re not only protecting yourself and your loved ones, but you’re also safeguarding the NHS and helping to preserve our way of life.”
Javid’s positive test comes just days before most of the remaining coronavirus restrictions are lifted in England. Javid had previously told the Commons: “We cannot eliminate it, instead we have to learn to live with it.” His approach is seen as being far more head-on than the more cautious approach adopted by Matt Hancock towards the pandemic.
With this in mind, many have been quick to criticise Javid for ploughing ahead with the reopening plans which comes amid a massive rise in cases across the UK.
I very much hope the Health Secretary & his family are all ok.
— Munira Wilson MP (@munirawilson) July 17, 2021
With case rates soaring, those who haven't yet been fully vaccinated & the 3m+ vulnerable are most at risk.
As international experts have said, lifting all restrictions at once on Monday is an experiment... https://t.co/idkXDPrnTI
Sajid Javid is indeed lucky he’s had two vaccine doses and his symptoms are mild.
— Rachel Clarke (@doctor_oxford) July 17, 2021
But what about the 47% of the population who are not yet “double jabbed”?
Javid is literally advertising the wisdom of postponing so-called Freedom Day until more of us are vaccinated 🤷♀️
You’ve had your jabs. Millions have not. And your party has yet to deal with vaccinating teens. I hope you recover. I’m only human. But I’m furious you have created conditions where millions who have NOT yet been vaccinated will be far less protected.
— Craig Grannell (@CraigGrannell) July 17, 2021
It's good that you have mild symptoms with both jabs. Maybe we could wait a few weeks until everybody has had two jabs before we do anything reckless rather than just go "ah fuck it, nightclubs".
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) July 17, 2021
Could we maybe wait until more people have had two jabs so we can all have those sweet mild symptoms?
— Tom Rennie (@thomasjrennie) July 17, 2021
Sorry to hear this. I’m assuming you will now be advising a delay to the 19th July #FreedomDay
— Bennett Arron (@BennettArron) July 17, 2021
One day before England lifts nearly all COVID restrictions, the UK’s Health Secretary has tested positive… https://t.co/noFtUo0XAC
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) July 17, 2021
UK health secretary tests positive for Covid just as England is to drop all restrictions - as infections rise… #Conservatives 🇬🇧🤦🏼♂️ #Covidiots 🦠😷 https://t.co/IlSgZde1Y8
— Anthony Davis (@theanthonydavis) July 17, 2021
Huge relief the Health Secretary is double-jabbed.
— 𝚁𝚊𝚟 (@TVRav) July 17, 2021
Huge concern half the population still isn't. https://t.co/3TfKRvHsU2
Good grief. https://t.co/mwdDtcgcGP
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) July 17, 2021
His colleagues and fellow politicians did wish him a speedy recovery with Sadiq Kahn pointing out that his mild symptoms do show the effectiveness of having both jabs.
Sorry to read this, but pleased to hear the difference having both jabs can make. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) July 17, 2021
Hope you feel better soon. Glad to hear your symptoms are mild.
— Angela Richardson MP (@AJRichardsonMP) July 17, 2021
Sorry to hear this, Saj. Hope you stay feeling well.
— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) July 17, 2021
Sorry to hear this, but good news that your symptoms are mild. Hope you feel better soon. https://t.co/Xda2cf16lc
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 17, 2021
Javid will now have to go into self-isolation with his family until 26th July.
