LONDON, April 5 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris
Johnson was admitted to hospital for tests on Sunday in what
Downing Street said was a "precautionary step" because he was
showing persistent symptoms of the coronavirus 10 days after
testing positive for it.
Below is a timeline with what we know about his activities
over those 10 days, when he was self-isolating but still leading
Britain's response to the coronavirus outbreak, including
chairing daily virtual emergency meetings.
March 27, Friday - Johnson said he had tested positive for
the coronavirus and that he would self-isolate in Downing
Street. Health Minister Matt Hancock also tested positive, while
England's top medical officer began self-isolating after
developing symptoms.
"I've developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus. That's to
say - a temperature and a persistent cough," Johnson said in a
video posted on Twitter.
"Be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry
of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team to
lead the national fightback against coronavirus."
Johnson spoke by phone to U.S. President Donald Trump, who
wished him a speedy recovery.
Johnson chaired a government meeting on the coronavirus on
Friday morning via teleconference. Johnson had meals delivered
to the door of an apartment at 11 Downing Street while in
self-isolation.
March 28, Saturday - It is announced that Johnson will write
to every UK household urging people to stay at home to help
contain the coronavirus.
March 29, Sunday - Johnson posted a video of himself in a
suit and tie, thanking people for staying at home as well as
health workers, grocers and pharmacists.
March 30, Monday - Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said
Johnson was "full of vigour" despite being self-isolated.
Johnson's spokesman said that Johnson was fully able to run
Britain's coronavirus response despite the positive test, and he
continued to chair daily meetings.
Johnson tweeted a picture of himself attending a meeting via
video link.
March 31, Tuesday - Johnson chaired Cabinet - the first
all-digital meeting of a British PM's top team of ministers - on
video platform Zoom.
April 1, Wednesday - Johnson posted a video message on
Twitter, lamenting a rise in the number of coronavirus-related
deaths in Britain.
April 2, Thursday - In another video message, Johnson vowed
to ramp up testing for the coronavirus.
He also came out by himself onto the doorstep in Downing
Street to applaud frontline medical workers as part of the "Clap
For Carers" initiative.
April 3, Friday - A weary-looking Johnson said he would
remain in isolation as he continued to have mild symptoms of
COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel
coronavirus, including a high temperature, a week after he
tested positive for the virus.
"Although I'm feeling better and I've done my seven days of
isolation, alas I still have one of the symptoms, a minor
symptom, I still have a temperature, so in accordance with
government advice I must continue my self-isolation until that
symptom itself goes," Johnson said in a video message, wearing
an open-necked shirt.
April 4, Saturday - Johnson said in a tweet that he spoke to
newly elected opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer and invited
him and other party leaders to a briefing the following week on
how to work together during the national emergency.
April 5, Sunday - Downing Street announced in the evening
that Johnson had been taken to hospital as a precautionary
measure because of the persistent nature of his symptoms 10 days
after he first tested positive.
(Reporting by Alistair Smout and Mark Bendeich; Editing by
Peter Cooney)