The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has tested positive for Coronavirus alongside a number of other prominent political figures.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had also tested positive while England’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof Chris Whitty, has shown symptoms.
The news comes as the government announced a further 181 people have died due to the virus in the past day. This takes the total number of UK deaths to 759 with 14,543 confirmed cases.
The daily coronavirus press conference was held by Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, alongside deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries and NHS chief executive Simon Stevens.
It was announced today that testing would be roled out across the NHS starting with critical care givers so that they can return to work as quickly as possible if they test negative.
Two further field hospitals will follow that at the ExCel in London and they are currently being put in place in Manchester and Birmingham. More are likely to follow.