Michael Gove self-isolating at home after family member shows coronavirus symptoms
Michael Gove is now in self-isolation for 14 days.
2 min read
Michael Gove is self-isolating at home after one of his family members began showing symptoms of the coronavirus.
The Cabinet Office minister is the latest senior government figure to be affected by the potentially-deadly illness.
It follows Boris Johnson's admission to intensive care with the virus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock was also diagnosed with the illness and is back at work, while Cabinet ministers Alister Jack and Ben Wallace also had to self-isolate after displaying symptoms.
Under current government guidelines, people are asked to stay at home for two weeks if one of their household show signs of the illness, including a high temperature or a persistent cough.
A source close to Mr Gove said one of his family was showing symptoms and "so in accordance with the guidance he is self isolating at home, but continuing to work as normal.
"He is not displaying any symptoms," they added.
In a tweet, Mr Gove said: "Many thanks for kind messages. In accordance with the guidance, I am isolating at home after a member of my family started to display mild symptoms of coronavirus on Sunday.
"I have not displayed any symptoms and am continuing to work as normal."
It comes after Mr Gove told broadcasters on Tuesday that Mr Johnson's admission to intensive care at St. Thomas's Hospital in London showed the virus has a "malevolence that is truly frightening".
He told BBC Breakfast: "As we speak the PM is in intensive care being looked after by his medical team in St Thomas's and our hopes and prayers are with him and his family."
He added: It's terrible, I've known Boris since we met as students and it's been an amazing privilege to work with him as Prime Minister.
"It is an amazing privilege to work with him as Prime Minister and I'm just wishing him well. Everyone who knows Boris knows he loves this country and he always, always wants to do his best for the country that he loves and we are just hoping and praying he pulls through.
"It was a shock yesterday to hear the news about him going into intensive care... all of us just want him to pull through, he is the leader of our country."
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