Image: Number 10 [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0], via Flickr
Chief scientific officer symptom-free but chief medical officer may now have coronavirus
The government’s chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance has confirmed he is free of Covid-19 symptoms as the chief medical officer Chris Whitty began self isolating and prime minister Boris Johnson and health secretary Matt Hancock both tested positive for the disease.
Covid-19 appears to now be spreading among some of those most critical to the government’s approach to the pandemic.
“After experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID-19 last night, in line with the guidance, I will be self-isolating at home for the next seven days,” Whitty said on Twitter on 27 March. “I will be continuing to advise the government on the medical response to coronavirus, supported by my deputies.”
In line with current policy, Vallance will not be tested for coronavirus as he is not displaying symptoms.
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed to Research Professional News on 27 March that the government’s policy is that “officials are tested if they show symptoms of the virus”.
“I will continue following guidelines including social distancing and hand washing,” Vallance, a crucial part of the government response to Covid-19, wrote on Twitter.
Johnson was tested for the virus after displaying mild symptoms, including a high temperature and a persistent cough. Hancock is also understood to be suffering mild symptoms.
Susan Michie, director for University College London’s centre for behavioural change, said it “should not come as a surprise” to hear Johnson and Hancock had tested positive as the House of Commons had been open for business despite widespread social distancing measures and other bodies moving staff to homeworking.
Michie stressed it was important for the country’s leaders to set an example for the public.
“If leaders do not adhere to their own recommendations, this undermines trust in them which in turn can undermine the population’s adherence to their advice,” she said.
UPDATED 27/3—This story was updated after publication with details of Whitty’s status.