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Prayer as Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus

by Marcus Jones

Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating in Downing Street, it has been announced.

The Prime Minister, 55, was tested in Number 10 after experiencing mild symptoms on Thursday.

In a video on his Twitter account, Mr Johnson said he had developed a temperature and a persistent cough.

He added: "I'm working from home and self-isolating and that's entirely the right thing to do.

"But, be in no doubt that I can continue thanks to the wizardry of modern technology to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.

"I want to thank everybody involved and, of course, our amazing NHS staff."

Encouraging Christians to pray for the PM, Bishop of Bolton Rt Rev Mark Ashcroft said: "Thank you that you are the God who heals and delivers. 

"Thank you for the blood of Jesus that brings us salvation and hope. We pray for Boris Johnson that you would heal him by your mighty power, that you would restore him to health. 

"We pray that you give him wisdom and endurance and patience as he leads this country. We pray that you would give him good advisors and we pray about this coronavirus Lord, we pray that you would restrain this disease, that you will protect your people and that you deliver us and we pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the PM was tested on the personal advice of England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.

Mr Johnson will now self-isolate in Downing Street but is expected to continue working.

Christian Tory MP Derek Thomas has paid tribute to the PM. Speaking to Premier, he said: "The reality is that Boris has been outstanding and has led the nation really from the outset of this and has provided leadership, reassurance, confidence and taking the very difficult decisions. And I do wish him the very best, and for his partner Carrie, and he recovers fully and quickly.

"What we have seen with this news and recently with Prince Charles, is that this coronavirus spreads quickly and is indiscriminate, and so all of us, firstly, should be absolutely following the government's social distancing guidelines."

It is not known whether the PM is staying with his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, who is several months pregnant.

Downing Street had previously confirmed that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would stand in if Mr Johnson was too unwell to continue.

(Additional reporting from Press Association)

 

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