Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus

The prime minister of the United Kingdom tested positive for the coronavirus.

Boris Johnson, 55, announced on Friday he was self-isolating after contracting the COVID-19 virus, which has spread across the world.

“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus. Together we will beat this,” he wrote in a tweet.

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Johnson said he has a temperature and “persistent cough” but stressed that he can continue working.

“Be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fight back against coronavirus,” he said.

Earlier this week, Johnson placed the United Kingdom in a lockdown, barring any social gatherings and urging people to only leave their homes for essential trips, such as purchasing groceries. As of Friday morning, the U.K. had nearly 12,000 cases of coronavirus and 580 related deaths.

Before the virus accelerated in the U.K., Johnson exhibited a more nonchalant attitude about the illness. Following a March 3 visit to a hospital treating coronavirus patients, Johnson quipped that he “shook hands with everybody” in the facility.

His father, Stanley Johnson, also took a bold stance on his response to the coronavirus. After his son advised people to stop going to restaurants and bars, the elder Johnson said, “Of course I’ll go to a pub if I need to go to a pub. He said you should avoid going to the pubs, but if I had to go to a pub, I’d go to a pub.”

Johnson is the latest major figure in the U.K. to contract the illness. Prince Charles also tested positive, the royal family announced on Wednesday.