High-profile names who have been affected by coronavirus
Published: 11:19, 23 April 2020
Updated: 12:20, 23 April 2020
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was the first world leader to be admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, and several of his top team have also been affected by the illness.
Here, PA looks at some other high-profile names who have tested positive for Covid-19 or suffered symptoms of the disease that “does not discriminate”.
– Matt Hancock
The Health Secretary announced that he too had tested positive for coronavirus on the same day as the Prime Minister – March 27.
Mr Hancock returned to work after self-isolating for five days and has since led several daily press briefings.
– Chris Whitty
Following the announcements by Mr Johnson and Mr Hancock, England’s chief medical officer said he had also displayed symptoms of coronavirus and would be self-isolating.
He returned to work earlier this month.
– Jenny Harries
England’s deputy chief medical officer revealed she believes she had coronavirus and was off work for 10 days.
She told ITV’s Lorraine she found it a “very unpleasant experience”, adding: “I’m usually very fit and healthy. I was really very knocked off probably for about a week.”
– Dominic Cummings
The PM’s top political adviser showed symptoms of Covid-19 and decided to self-isolate, Downing Street confirmed on March 30.
Suggestions that the 48-year-old aide had previously talked of allowing elderly people to die to protect the economy during the pandemic were strongly denied by Number 10.
– Carrie Symonds
Mr Johnson’s fiancee said earlier this month that she had been suffering Covid-19 symptoms, but was “on the mend”.
Ms Symonds, 32, who is expecting the couple’s first baby in early summer, said she was not tested for the virus.
– Nadine Dorries MP
Nadine Dorries was the first sitting member of Parliament to test positive for Covid-19, revealing the news on March 11.
Ms Dorries later said it took her seven days to “turn the corner” and begin to recover from the virus and she returned to work on March 24.
– Brexit negotiators
Both the UK and EU’s chief Brexit negotiators, David Frost and Michel Barnier, tested positive for Covid-19 in March.
Downing Street insisted ministers remain “absolutely committed” to continuing post-Brexit negotiations despite the coronavirus lockdowns affecting most of continental Europe.
– Prince of Wales
The virus even penetrated the heart of the royal family, with the Prince of Wales testing positive for Covid-19 on March 23 after experiencing mild symptoms.
The 71-year-old immediately went into self-isolation at Birkhall in Scotland alongside the Duchess of Cornwall, who tested negative – but both have now returned to royal duties.
– Princess Maria Teresa of Spain
Unlike her British royal counterpart, Spain’s Princess Maria Teresa de Borbon-Parma did not survive her bout with Covid-19.
The 86-year-old became the first royal in the world to die from the virus on March 26 and her funeral was held in Madrid the following day.
– Sophie Trudeau
The Canadian prime minister’s wife tested positive for the disease on March 12 after returning from a trip to London.
She was later given the all clear, while Mr Trudeau went into a period of self-isolation with his children.
– Celebrities
Major Hollywood actors Tom Hanks and Idris Elba have both recovered after testing positive for the virus.
Hanks was the first A-lister to say publicly he had caught the disease, along with his wife Rita Wilson while they were in Australia on March 11. Elba is still “asymptomatic” after finishing his quarantine period. Elba had been at an event with Sophie Trudeau recently.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling said she suffered “all symptoms” of coronavirus and has now “fully recovered” – although she was not tested.
Singer Pink revealed she and her three-year-old son Jameson had spent the previous fortnight battling the disease.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s 82-year-old mother died after contracting the virus, the club announced, prompting many condolences from other clubs online.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive but recovered, and players from several premiership sides have self-isolated as a precaution.
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