Boris Johnson coronavirus: this is when the UK prime minister had Covid-19 and how long he took to recover as Donald Trump tests positive

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have both tested positive for coronavirus

The 74-year-old, who is in a high-risk group, announced the news on Twitter on Friday (2 October) and said he and Melania are beginning their recovery process, exclaiming “we will get through this TOGETHER!”.

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The news comes after one of Trump’s closest aides, Hope Hicks, tested positive and marks just over one month before the presidential elections on 3 November.

President Trump has tested positive for coronavirusPresident Trump has tested positive for coronavirus
President Trump has tested positive for coronavirus

Trump is not the first major political figure to test positive for the virus, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson also falling ill with coronavirus earlier this year.

When did Boris Johnson have coronavirus?Both

Mr Johnson tested positive for coronavirus on 27 March, after noticing mild symptoms the previous afternoon. After receiving the results, he began self-isolating and working from home.

However, just over a week later on 5 April, Mr Johnson was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital in central London for further tests as a “precautionary step”, after his coronavirus symptoms persisted.

On the following day (6 April), Downing Street announced his condition had worsened and that on the advice of his medical team, he had been moved to the intensive care unit.

Mr Johnson spent three nights in intensive care, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab standing in to deputise in his absence.

Mr Raab vowed to follow the “direction” set by the Prime Minister for tackling the virus.

In a statement recorded after Mr Johnson’s admission, Mr Raab said, “The Government’s business will continue.

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“The Prime Minister is in safe hands with that brilliant team at St Thomas’ Hospital, and the focus of the government will continue to be on making sure that the Prime Minister’s direction, all the plans for making sure that we can defeat coronavirus and can pull the country through this challenge, will be taken forward.”

The Prime Minister was discharged from hospital on 12 April, just over two weeks after he was diagnosed.

What happened after he was discharged from hospital?

Mr Johnson continued his recovery at Chequers, his country residence in the Chiltern Hills, after testing negative for coronavirus.

The estate is located close to the village of Ellesborough in Buckinghamshire, around 40 miles north west of central London.

He was reunited with his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, who spent time with him at the 16th century Buckinghamshire mansion, following his seven-night spell in hospital, during which he said “things could have gone either way”.

Speaking out after leaving hospital, Mr Johnson thanked the NHS staff for the “brilliant care” he received.

What is Trump’s current condition?

Mr Trump's physician, Dr Sean Conley, released a statement late on Thursday (1 October), which said both the President and First Lady were "both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence".

"Rest assured I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments," the statement said.