LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus, the government has said.

“Mr Johnson has mild symptoms and will self-isolate in Downing Street, after being tested at No 10 by NHS staff.

"He was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty," a statement reported by BBC said.

He will still be in charge of the government's handling of the crisis, the statement added.

In a tweet, Johnson said: "Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government's response via video-conference as we fight this virus.

"Together we will beat this."

Johnson’s case comes after the Prince of Wales also tested positive for the virus earlier this week.

The 71-year-old Prince of Wales is staying on his mother's sprawling Balmoral estate in Scotland, is displaying mild symptoms but "otherwise remains in good health".

His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 72, tested negative, Clarence House said in a statement.

The disclosure about the future king, whose age puts him in the most-risk category for the disease, came as Britain said there were more than 8,000 cases of COVID-19 and 422 deaths.

The government on Monday ordered a three-week lockdown of the country to cut close-contact transmission, to slow the rate of infection and reduce the burden on healthcare services. — Agencies