Covid: UK health secretary Matt Hancock to self-isolate

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Matt Hancock self-isolating after receiving alert via NHS Covid-19 app – video

The UK health secretary has said he is self-isolating after coming into close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Matt Hancock said he was alerted by the NHS app on Monday evening after leading a Downing Street press conference.

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.”

Matt Hancock
(@MattHancock)

Last night I was alerted by the @NHSCOVID19app to self isolate so I’ll be staying at home & not leaving at all until Sunday.

We all have a part to play in getting this virus under control. pic.twitter.com/MaN1EI7UyY

January 19, 2021

Hancock must quarantine despite having tested positive for Covid-19 in March, when he announced his diagnosis shortly after Boris Johnson revealed his own. It is understood the health secretary was given the duration of his isolation period by the NHS app.

The health service’s website says the isolation period includes the day the individual was last in contact with the person who tested positive and the next 10 full days.

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