Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus

Tolga AKMEN / AFP

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19.

He announced the news on Twitter, saying he has mild symptoms and will now self-isolate.

Johnson added that he will continue to lead the government’s response to the crisis via video-conference.

"The prime minister was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty," a Downing Street spokesman said.

There are more than 11,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK, and 578 people have died.

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