By Ben Kerrigan
Westminster Parliament is in a panic after the health minister, Nadine Dorries, became the first MP to be diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK.
The 62 year old MP for Mid Bedfordshire is the first politician to contract the virus, inevitably causing panic in Westminster. She announced that she is self isolating and following all recommended guidelines. In a race against time, officials are trying to identify everyone she has been in contact with recently. Ms Dorries has been working with , fell ill on Friday the day after attending a reception hosted by prime minister Boris Johnson. It remains a mystery how she contracted the virus.
Her diagnosis comes as the number of people to have tested positive for the virus nationwide has risen to 373, the second largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began
In a statement Dorries said: “I can confirm I have tested positive for Coronavirus. As soon as I was informed I took all advised precautions and have been self isolating at home.” The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has risen to 382, as nine more people tested positive in Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, confirmed on Tuesday night. Six people have now died in the UK after testing positive.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was “really sorry” to hear the news but that “she has done the right thing by self-isolating at home”.
He added: “We all wish her well as she recovers.
“I understand why people are worried about this disease. We will do all we can to keep people safe, based on the best possible science. It added health officials are now trying to identify all the people Ms Dorries has been in contact with – including MPs. Hannah Bardell, an SNP MP, said that would be tough as “Westminster by its nature means we’re all corralled in there together at close proximity”.
She added: “It’s possibly one of the most germ infested unhealthy places I’ve ever worked.”
She later tweeted: “Thanks for so many good wishes. It’s been pretty rubbish but I hope I’m over the worst of it now. More worried about my 84-year-old mum who is staying with me and began with the cough today. She is being tested tomorrow. Keep safe and keep washing those hands, everyone.”