Epidemiologist Neil Ferguson announced he was suffering from Coronavirus symptoms today, hours after standing within close proximity of Boris Johnson. Is the Prime Minister and his pregnant partner Carrie Symonds at risk? ITV resident doctor, Doctor Hilary Jones gave his advice on the possibility.
Coronavirus is sweeping the nation and on Monday, Johnson outlined the latest governmental advice about how the public should be protecting themselves and what measures they should be taking to decrease the chance of the virus spreading.
Yesterday, Johnson was joined by Chancellor Rishi Sunak who unveiled a significant lifeline for the economy and business.
During both appearances this week, Ferguson was on hand to offer his expert advice, but after announcing via his official Twitter account he is suffering from covid-19 symptoms, is the Prime Minister at risk?
He told his followers: “Sigh. Developed a slight dry but persistent cough yesterday and self isolated even though I felt fine.
“Then developed high fever at 4am today. There is a lot of COVID-19 in Westminster.”
READ MORE: Brexit LIVE: Boris REJECTS transition period delay due to coronavirus
Having been in close proximity to Johnson, questions have been raised over the Conservative Party Leader’s own health and that of his girlfriend Carrie Symonds who is pregnant with their first child.
During Good Morning Britain, host Piers Morgan asked ITV’s resident doctor, Dr. Hilary Jones what advice he would give the leader of this country to ensure his and Symonds’ health remains safe.
“The guy in charge of the modelling appears to have the virus,” Morgan stated.
“He was on Monday in Number Ten with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has a pregnant girlfriend.”
“It depends how close the contact was,” Dr. Jones explained. “She is in the vulnerable group and should be self-isolating, or socially distancing. The advice depends on how close they were.”
Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
Johnson and his advisors said someone must stay at home if they have a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back, and or a new, continuous cough.
You must not go a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital, nor contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
Testing for coronavirus is also not needed if you’re staying at home.
If you live alone and have symptoms, you must stay at home for seven days.
if you live with other people and you or anyone in your household have symptoms, you and everyone in the household must stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms.
If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
The advice is particularly important for people in the ‘high-risk’ category; who are 70 or over, have a long-term condition, are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.
Therefore, since Symonds falls into the ‘high-risk’ category, she should be practising self-isolation and social distancing.
A further 14 people have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus in England, bringing the UK’s total to 71.
Good Morning Britain airs weekday morning at 6am on ITV.
