Boris Johnson is ‘very firmly in charge’ of UK coronavirus response and will chair meetings today despite being locked down in No11 bunker suffering from the disease, says Michael Gove

• Boris Johnson revealed on Friday that he has tested positive for coronavirus 
• Michael Gove insisted the PM is still ‘very firmly in charge’ despite being isolated
• Speculation over what other senior government figures might be infected 
• Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Boris Johnson is still ‘very firmly in charge’ of the coronavirus response despite being in isolation suffering from the disease, Michael Gove said today.

The Cabinet minister said the PM will be chairing meetings by video conference this afternoon from his quarantine bunker in 11 Downing Street. 

He played down the prospect of anyone else in government needing to take the reins, saying ‘modern technology’ meant Mr Johnson could stay across everything that is happening.

Mr Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock both tested positive for the virus on Friday, while Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has also gone into self-isolation after displaying symptoms.

There is frenzied speculation over what other senior figures might be struck down with the disease, which seems to have spread like wildfire through Westminster.

Boris Johnson (pictured chairing a meeting by video conference yesterday) is still ‘very firmly in charge’ of the coronavirus response despite being in isolation, Michael Gove said today

Mr Gove raised concerns today by repeatedly coughing during an interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show (pictured). But aides insisted he was displaying ‘no symptoms’ and had merely been ‘clearing his throat’.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has gone into isolation after developing a mild temperature and a cough. 

Mr Gove raised concerns today by repeatedly coughing during an interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show.

But aides insisted he was displaying ‘no symptoms’ and had merely been ‘clearing his throat’. 

Mr Gove said Boris Johnson was ‘very firmly in charge’ of the Government following his positive diagnosis.

He told Sky News that the Prime Minister had chaired a meeting on Friday from his study using ‘modern technology’.

‘He is very firmly in charge and later this afternoon the Prime Minister will also be hosting another meeting by video conference with the relevant ministers and officials,’ he said.

On who will take over should Mr Johnson become unwell, Mr Gove said: ‘The designated deputy to the Prime Minister is the first Secretary of State, Dominic Raab.’ 

Mr Johnson has gone into isolation in his flat above 11 Downing Street, while his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds has moved elsewhere.

The Chancellor has given up his office space downstairs to make way for the PM, with aides leaving work and meals outside the door.  

Since Tony Blair Prime Ministers have regularly used the residence above No11 as it is bigger than the one above Number 10.  

A Labour MP and doctor today said that  Mr Johnson and Mr Hancock should be self-isolating for 14 days rather than the seven suggested so far, as they might still be infectious. 

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said he has developed mild symptoms of coronavirus and is self-isolating

Rosena Allin-Khan, who has been working in a hospital during the crisis, said: ‘Some people have had the disease process that lasted 12-14 days so for senior politicians such as the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary to suggest that they will return to work after seven days is a real worry for people working in the health sector like myself, because we need to save lives and we need people to properly observe self-isolation processes.’. 

Dr Allin-Khan complained it was ‘unfair’ that Mr Johnson had a coronavirus test when NHS staff are not getting access.   

‘These are the people who are at the front line, these are people who need to know whether or not they have the virus or not,’ she told Sky News.

‘So, if they feel better, if they’re feeling poorly, they can return to work and keep working.’

Dr Allin-Khan said testing this group was important to ‘keep their families and communities safe’ – adding she would like to see mass testing rolled out as soon as possible.

‘It is absolutely urgent that NHS and care staff are tested and they have access to testing immediately,’ she said.

‘I’m not sure it’s entirely fair that senior politicians are having access to testing when frontline NHS staff, who are going in to work night shifts, day shifts, double shifts at the moment, can’t get the tests that they need.’

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