UK

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock self-isolating after receiving NHS Covid-19 app alert

Health secretary Matt Hancock being interviewed about the Covid vaccine roll-out on Good Morning Britain 
Health secretary Matt Hancock being interviewed about the Covid vaccine roll-out on Good Morning Britain 

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he is self-isolating after receiving an alert through the NHS Covid-19 app.

In a video posted on Twitter, he said: “Last night I was pinged by the NHS coronavirus app, so that means I’ll be self-isolating at home, not leaving the house at all until Sunday.

“This self-isolation is perhaps the most important part of all the social distancing because I know from the app I’ve been in close contact with somebody who has tested positive and this is how we break the chains of transmission.

“So you must follow these rules like I’m going to. I’ve got to work from home for the next six days, and together, by doing this, by following this, and all the other panoply of rules that we’ve had to put in place, we can get through this and beat this virus.”

In March, both Mr Hancock and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested postive for Covid-19.

Mr Hancock described a feeling of "having glass" in his throat and said that he had lost half a stone. Mr Johnson was admitted to hospital and spent time in ICU.