Boris Johnson coronavirus: Downing Street confirms Carrie Symonds is not self-isolating with prime minister

Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus

Downing Street has confirmed that the prime minister’s partner Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant with their first child together, is not living with him at his official residence.

On Friday 27 March, Boris Johnson announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus after exhibiting “mild symptoms” over the past 24 hours.

Following his announcement, some questioned whether his fiancée Ms Symonds, who is due to give birth in early summer, was also self-isolating with the prime minister.

When asked whether Ms Symonds and Mr Johnson are still living together in their flat above No 11 Downing Street, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister of course follows all of the guidelines which have been issued by Public Health England in full.

“His circumstance is such as that he will be required to self-isolate for seven days,” they said, adding that the prime minister will have his meals and work left for him at the door to his flat.

Downing Street confirmed to The Independent over the phone that the prime minister is self-isolating at 11 Downing Street while Ms Symonds is staying “elsewhere”.

The guidance outlined by Public Health England (PHE) for pregnant women amid the coronavirus pandemic states that they should “avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus”.

The two main symptoms of Covid-19 are a high temperature and a new, continuous cough.

PHE states that “as a precaution”, pregnant women should follow government advice regarding social distancing, telling them to “stay away from public places and avoid anyone who has symptoms suggestive of coronavirus”.

“If you are in your third trimester (more than 28 weeks pregnant) you should be particularly attentive to social distancing and minimising contact with others,” the organisation says.

Furthermore, the NHS says that if a person displays symptoms of the virus, they should not leave their home.

“If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you’ll need to self-isolate for seven days,” the health service states.

The NHS adds that if a person showing coronavirus symptoms is living with a vulnerable person — which can include people who are over the age of 70, who has an weakened immune system or is pregnant — they should “try to arrange for them to stay with friends or family for 14 days”.

“If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible,” it states.

Following the announcement of Mr Johnson’s coronavirus diagnosis, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Queen last saw the prime minister over two weeks ago.