Health Secretary Sajid Javid has tested positive for Covid-19, despite receiving both of his vaccination doses.
In a video message on his Twitter feed, Javid said that his symptoms were “very mild” – and said he was isolating at home with his family.
His initial positive test came via a rapid-return lateral flow test, and he is now awaiting confirmation from a PCR test.
Javid, 51, said: “This morning I tested positive for Covid. I’m waiting for my PCR result, but thankfully I have had my jabs and symptoms are mild.
“Please make sure you come forward for your vaccine if you haven’t already.”
The former chancellor replaced Matt Hancock as health secretary last month. Hancock resigned the day after photographs of him kissing advisor Gina Coladangelo were published by The Sun newspaper.
However the timing could hardly be more inopportune for the government as it prepares for most statutory controls in England to end from Monday.
Some scientists have expressed deep misgivings over the decision to go ahead with the final step of the government’s road map out of lockdown while infections continue to soar.
The Liberal Democrats said that Javid’s positive test underlined the case for government to rethink its plans.
Health spokeswoman Munira Wilson said: “This shows no-one is safe from this deadly virus.
“By easing all restrictions with cases surging, they are experimenting with people’s lives.
“Right now, they are pursuing a strategy of survival of the fittest, where the young and clinically vulnerable will be left defenceless.”
There was no immediate comment from No 10 as to when the Health Secretary last met face-to-face with Boris Johnson.
NHS Test and Trace will only begin the process of tracking down his recent close contacts and telling them to self-isolate if the PCR test proves positive.
Javid has been working from his office at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in Whitehall and was in the Commons chamber three times in the past week.
On Monday he delivered a statement on lifting lockdown, while the following day he was answering health and social care questions. On Wednesday he opened the second reading debate on the Health and Social Care Bill.
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