Newsmaker

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus. Johnson said he has developed a temperature and a persistent cough over the past 24 hours in a video on his twitter account.

On the advice of England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, Johnson was tested for the coronavirus.

"I am working from home, I am self-isolating and that is entirely the right thing to do," Johnson said in a video posted to Twitter on Friday morning. The prime minister added that he will continue to lead "the national fightback against coronavirus" from his home in Downing Street.

Johnson said he is self-isolating and working from home. He said thanks to "the wizardry of modern technology" he will continue to lead the national fightback against the virus.

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. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri

— Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2020

He thanked the NHS and everybody working to keep the country going through the pandemic and reiterated that staying at home is fundamental to stopping the spread of the virus.