Boris Johnson said the fact he was “bursting with antibodies” having had coronavirus before would not prevent him needing to self-isolate following contact with an MP who has tested positive.
The Prime Minister, who was admitted to intensive care with coronavirus in April, has confirmed he was notified by NHS Test and Trace on Sunday that he must self-isolate and will now remain at Number 10 for a period of 14 days.
The news has left Mr Johnson’s bid to reframe his premiership in limbo after his meeting with Tory MP Lee Anderson, who has confirmed he has contracted Covid-19.
Hi folks, I’ve been instructed by our NHS Test & Trace scheme to self-isolate for two weeks, after being in contact with someone with Covid-19.
I’m in good health and have no symptoms, and will continue to lead on our response to the virus & our plans to #BuildBackBetter pic.twitter.com/yNgIme8lOz
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 16, 2020
But in a video message posted on Twitter, Mr Johnson – who insisted he would not be exempt from isolating despite previously fighting off the virus – said he would continue to make Government announcements virtually.
He told his Twitter followers on Monday that he was “in good health” and that he has “no symptoms”.
The Prime Minister said: “Hi folks, the good news is that NHS Test and Trace is working ever-more efficiently, but the bad news is that they’ve pinged me and I’ve got to self-isolate because someone I was in contact with a few days ago has developed Covid.
“It doesn’t matter that we were all doing social distancing, it doesn’t matter that I’m fit as a butcher’s dog, feel great – so many people do in my circumstances.
“And actually, it doesn’t matter that I’ve had the disease and I’m bursting with antibodies. We’ve got to interrupt the spread of the disease and one of the ways we can do that now is by self-isolating for 14 days when contacted by Test and Trace.”❐
