In a video posted on his Twitter feed, Mr Johnson said he had experienced “a temperature and persistent cough” over the last 24 hours and, on the advice of the chief medical officer, took a test which confirmed he had contracted Covid-19.
According to Downing Street, the Prime Minister is continuing to lead the Government’s coronavirus response.
The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has also announced today that he has tested positive for Covid-19.
Earlier today, the family of a GP who has died of suspected coronavirus have said he showed “text book symptoms” of Covid-19. Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, died in intensive care at Southend Hospital, Essex, 24 hours after being taken ill on Tuesday.
His daughter Dr Sarah Zaidi, also a GP, said he showed “text book symptoms” of Covid-19. If test results confirm he had the virus then he would be the first doctor in the UK to die from the virus.