UK health Minister Matt Hancock also positive for COVID-19, after PM Boris Johnson found infected

KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): British Health Minister Matt Hancock announced over twitter yesterday that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

The announcement came about two hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson did the same.

Hancock also said he is now self-isolating at home.

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#StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/TguWH6Blij

— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 27, 2020

The government's top medical adviser, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, also said he had symptoms.

It was unclear how Johnson, Hancock or Whitty were infected or how staff and other ministers would need to isolate themselves after dozens of daily meetings, including news conferences, in Downing Street.

A spokesman for the prime minister said that the moment Johnson felt symptoms he took steps to avoid close contact, adding that other ministers would need to self-isolate if they developed symptoms.

According to Channel News Asia, the official guidance is for people to stand 2m apart to prevent contagion.

This was not always adhered to for some of Johnson's earlier press conferences, when he appeared with other top officials, although the distance between lecterns had been increased by Wednesday.

Stay calm. Stay at home. Keep updated on the latest news at www.EdgeProp.my #stayathome #flattenthecurve

Click here to see commercial properties for sale in Kuala Lumpur.

Click here for more property stories.