Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and health secretary Matt Hancock have coronavirus.

In a pre-recorded announcement broadcast this morning he confirmed he has developed mild symptoms in the past 24 hours.

He said he has a temperature and a persistent cough and took a test based on the advice of the chief medical officer, which came back positive.

He wrote on Twitter: "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"

It comes two days after it was revealed Prince Charles has the virus and this lunch time health secretry Matt Hancock announced he too has the virus.

It is so far unknown if Mr Johnson's pregnant partner Carrie Symonds is affected.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "After experiencing mild symptoms yesterday, the Prime Minister was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty. The test was carried out in No 10 by NHS staff and the result of the test was positive.

"He is continuing to lead the government’s response to coronavirus..."

"In keeping with the guidance, the Prime Minister is self-isolating in Downing Street. He is continuing to lead the government’s response to coronavirus."

Parliament has closed for one month to combat the spread of coronavirus on March 25.

The closure followed concerns that Parliament had become a hotspot for coronavirus with a number of MPs self-isolating after displaying symptoms.

It is expected foreign secretary Dominic Raab will step in if the prime minister is unwell.

Thanet South MP Craig Mackinlay was among the MPs to wish the MP well.

He said: “Our PM has led from the front at every stage of the Coronavirus crisis thus far, so I am not altogether surprised that he has tested positive for the virus. This is a sobering moment; this virus respects no boundaries, we are all at risk and clearly the greater number of interactions we have adds massively to that.

"I am sure I speak for all in South Thanet in wishing Boris Johnson a speedy recovery.

"We must distance ourselves as much as possible and stay at home.

"We need the time gained to delay the peak of the outbreak allowing the NHS to cope with the small percentage of those infected who will need specialist or more intensive care. Time is our asset here, to allow greater testing both of those likely infected, and more importantly in the longer term, to allow for new testing to show up prior infection and immunity so that that those who are through the illness can get back to normality and help others with confidence.

Get well soon Prime Minister.”

"This is a sobering moment; this virus respects no boundaries, we are all at risk..."

Mr Mackinlay has been in Parliament this week but he says this is "as sparingly as possible" and all are well in his household.

MP for Maidstone and the Weald, Helen Grant, said: "Firstly, of course, I wish the Prime Minister well and hope he fully recovers extremely quickly.

"He has been clear that his symptoms are mild and, with the technology available, he is therefore fully able to continue to lead the Government’s response to this crisis whilst self-isolating and working from home.

She added: "I know this is a worrying time for people in Maidstone and the Weald, but by following the Government’s guidelines and staying at home to protect our NHS and save lives we will beat this together.

"If local people have specific concerns about any aspect of this pandemic then please do contact me anytime at helen.grant.mp@parliament.uk."

Neither Ms Grant nor any of her team are exhibiting symptoms of the virus at present and say they are fully available to help people in Maidstone and the Weald wherever possible.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP, Gordon Henderson, said: "My understanding is that he has mild symptoms.

"It doesn't come as any great surprise. MPs have been carrying on business as we have to.

"Some of us, like me, have been able to semi-isolate by not going to Parliament unless absolutely necessary but still have to continue working in the constituency.

"I can imagine as Prime Minister it must be difficult to continue meeting people and keep to the social distancing rules.

"This reinforces the need for social distancing..."

"I'm sure he'll be continuing to run the country in the same way, even though he's having to self-isolate.

"I wish everybody who's caught the virus the very best of wishes.

"I'm being very careful. Although I'm continuing to work, I'm being ultra cautious about keeping a distance from other people and limiting, as much as possible, the people who I come into contact with."

Ashford MP Damian Green added: "I wish Boris and Matt Hancock a full and quick recovery-the country needs them operating at full throttle.

"This reinforces the need for social distancing.

"I haven't been physically close to either of them over the past week, and so far I and my family are healthy. "

Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover & Deal, said: “Boris Johnson is proving an exceptional leader during this time of national crisis. I hope he and Health Secretary Matt Hancock continue leading from the front to send this virus packing. Anyone can catch it, so stay at home and stay safe.

“Locally me and my team continue to work around the clock trying to help anyone with problems in what is an incredibly difficult time for our community and the whole country. Anyone with urgent problems should get in contact so we can try to help.”

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