Boris Johnson still showing coronavirus symptoms, Downing Street says

Boris Johnson is still showing coronavirus symptoms, Downing Street has confirmed.

Mr Johnson spoke from isolation on Thursday, addressing the criticism aimed at the Government in recent days for low testing rates for NHS staff and other key workers, as well as the equipment healthcare workers are using when treating patients for coronavirus.

He said: "I want to say a special word about testing because it is so important and as I have been saying for weeks and weeks, this is the way through.

"This is how we will unlock the coronavirus puzzle, this is how we will defeat it in the end."

He said that the UK was aiming to increase testing to help people who have the coronavirus get treatment quickly if needed.

Mr Johnson added that testing is also important to see if people have already had the virus. That way, the Government can encourage people to go back to work without worrying about getting infected or pass on the disease - particularly important for NHS staff.

The Government has said that more than 2,000 NHS staff have been tested for coronavirus so far.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “The PM continues to have mild symptoms, but he does still have symptoms.”

Asked if he would be leaving self-isolation on Friday, the spokesman said: “We’re following the guidelines from Public Health England and from the chief medical officer which state that you need to self-isolate for a period of seven days, so no change in that.”

The spokesman said Mr Johnson will look to find a way to participate in the “Clap for our carers” celebration on Thursday evening despite remaining in self-isolation.

His spokesman said: “The PM definitely wants to find a way of expressing his continued appreciation for the fantastic efforts that NHS staff are making and the PM would urge as many people as possible to take part tonight.”

Mr Johnson tested positive for the virus last week and has been in self-isolation since.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was also diagnosed with the virus and has been working in isolation from home since last week.

Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and senior Government adviser Dominic Cummings have shown symptoms of coronavirus, and so have also been in isolation.