Boris Johnson is not being tested for coronavirus, despite the fact that he was at a reception with contaminated Health Minister Nadine Dorries.
Downing Street said the prime minister did not need to be checked because he had “no symptoms” and had not been within two meters of the quarantined MP.
Despite MPs saying he needed to be tested, sources also insisted there was less risk because Mr. Johnson regularly washed his hands.
Mrs. Dorries has revealed that she has isolated herself just days after attending a No10 reception with the prime minister.
The Tory MP gave a speech in the Commons on Wednesday evening, was in the tea rooms with other politicians and held an operation for 50 of its voters on Saturday. It is believed that she began to feel sick on Thursday, before deteriorating the following day.
The 62-year-old had the virus and she is now said to be recovering – although she expressed fear of her 84-year-old mother, who lives at her home and “started coughing” yesterday.
Johnson attended a Commonwealth Day service on Monday at Westminster Abbey with the Queen.
Another MEP, Rachel Maskell from Labor, said today that she is isolating herself after a meeting with Mrs. Dorries on Thursday.
Preparations for the crucial budget this afternoon seem to continue despite the dramatic developments, with high parliamentary sources still insisting that the estate should remain open.
However, MailOnline understands that there are serious discussions about reducing the number of MPs coming to the Commons in the future – with perhaps 100 the task of overseeing essential legislation in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading.
Former cabinet minister David Gauke said that if he was still a full member, he would be a little “nervous” in being in the budget statement room because he was “full.”
“It’s an environment where I fear the worst of passing on the Covid-19,” he told Sky News.
Health Minister Nadine Dorries fell ill on Friday and was diagnosed with coronavirus on Tuesday evening
Dorries was at a No10 reception last week and Mr. Johnson attended a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey with the Queen on Monday
The MP is pictured here with her 84-year-old mother, in 2018
Another Member of Parliament, Rachel Maskell of Labor, said today that she is isolating herself after a meeting with Mrs. Dorries on Thursday
A Tory MP told MailOnline today: ‘I was in the tea salons with Nadine on Wednesday. Do you think if she puts her hands on the table and then I put my hands on the table …
“Then she was in parliament to give a speech at the shipping box. Everyone must be tested, Boris must be tested. Jo Churchill was in the room next to her. “
The backbencher added: ‘Boris cannot help himself. He shakes everyone’s hand. He is clearly trying to stop himself now. “
Mrs. Dorries met hundreds of people last week, including a large number of MPs, and attended a conference outside of Westminster. On Thursday, she attended a Downing Street event organized by Mr Johnson on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
She started feeling sick on Friday when she signed a legal instrument that declared coronavirus a “notifiable disease,” which allowed companies to get insurance coverage.
The health minister held the operation in her Mid Bedfordshire constituency on Saturday.
During the weekend she experienced the ‘classic symptoms’ of the disease – a dry cough, high temperatures and ‘vice-like’ pain in her chest.
Mrs. Maskell said: “NHS111 has advised me to isolate myself as a result of a meeting with the government’s mental health minister last Thursday, who subsequently tested positive for Coronovirus.
“Fortunately I am asymptomatic. It is so important that we all follow all health advice. ”
Another Member said grimly; “It won’t be long before most have it.”
Her shock diagnosis came as:
- Interest rates were lowered by the Bank of England amid efforts to stop the coronavirus crisis destroying the economy;
- The deputy chief physician warned the start of the peak of the epidemic could be within fourteen days;
- Heath officials have announced that 61 more patients in the UK have contracted the killer infection, bringing the total number of cases to 382 and the number of fatalities to six
- Italy’s death toll increased by 168 to 631 and its 60 million civilians entered lockdown;
- Thousands of Britons were effective stranded in Italy after BA all flights and other airlines canceled follow the;
- A row broke out about the screening of passengers arriving with few remaining flights from Italy as some countries closed their borders Italian arrivals;
- Tonight’s Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal was delayed after the owner of Olympiacos – whose side played Arsenal on February 27 – got the virus;
- A large increase in online outpatient clinic agreements are made for the elderly planned to save on trips to the hospital;
- The NHS is scaling up virus tests capacity up to 10,000 per day;
- Harvard said it would start moving to online classes with British universities under pressure to follow the example;
- A top surgeon was brought down after returning from a ski trip to Italy – but had treated patients the meantime.
Mrs Dorries, mother of three, said: ‘I can confirm that I have tested positive for coronavirus. As soon as I was informed, I took all the recommended precautions and I am self-insulating at home.
‘Public health England has started tracing contacts and the department and my parliamentary office are following their advice closely.
“I want to thank PHE and the wonderful NHS employees who gave me advice and support.”
She added on social media: “It has been quite nonsense, but I hope I have the worst about it now. More worries about my 84-year-old mother who stays with me and started coughing today. She will be tested tomorrow. Stay safe and keep washing those hands, everyone. “
Mrs. Dorries spoke in the Commons room on Wednesday evening, flanked by colleagues, including Jo Churchill
Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Nadine Dorries bricklaying in Bedford last November
Dorries shared this photo of her mother on her 84th birthday at the end of February
In a tweet, Nadine Dorries said she was “worse” after her diagnosis of coronavirus
Matt Hancock wished his colleague Mrs. Dorries the best while she fought to recover from the virus
Matt Hancock, who is her boss as a health secretary, was understood last night to be fit and healthy and show no symptoms.
He tweeted last night: ‘I am really sorry to hear that Nadine has been tested positive for coronavirus.
“She did the right thing by isolating herself at home, and both the NHS and PHE staff were brilliant.
“We all wish her the best when she recovers.
“I understand why people worry about this disease.
“We will do everything we can to keep people safe, based on the best possible science.”
Mr. Hancock’s feelings were reflected in the shadow of Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth, who tweeted: “I send my very best wishes to @NadineDorries and absolutely subscribe to (what) @MattHancock says.
“I know this is an extremely worrying time for our voters.
“Our NHS & PHE employees make us all proud in very challenging circumstances.”
The news will raise fears that Parliament might have to be closed or that visitors should place restrictions.
A source from the government said: “Like everything else, let us be guided by science.
“This is treated like any other standard case.”
MPs stood in line to offer their support last night after the news was announced.
Mrs. Dorries was part of a team that drafted legislation to tackle the corona virus before she became ill.
Officials have been identifying all the people she has been in contact with since they contracted the virus, including MPs.
Anyone who exhibits similar symptoms will be tested.
Nadine Dorries received a flu shot last November as part of a campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated
Labor MP Angela Rayner said, “Although I almost never agree with Nadine Dorries about anything political, I wish her a speedy recovery from this miserable corona virus.”
Last week it was reported that plans were being considered to suspend Parliament for five months.
A source said there may have been ‘650 super-speakers’ in the House of Commons because MPs divide their time between Westminster and their seats.
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