Coronavirus: Susanna Reid reveals she is self-isolating as she appears on Good Morning Britain via video link

The Good Morning Britain presenter, 49, said she plans to spend the next 14 days away from the ITV show, in line with advice from the Government.

The mother-of-three said that while she was displaying ‘no symptoms’ and believed her son's illness was only a ‘seasonal cold’, she was still taking precautions.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain via video link, she said: ‘One of the boys, one of my children, has a cough - a persistent cough, and that came on yesterday.’

She added: ‘That means that immediately I thought “I can't go into work” and work with you guys for 14 days.

‘The children are off and, of course, we are effectively two households because like many families we are a separated family, so we have two families who have gone into self-isolation.’

In the first of his daily No 10 press conferences on Monday, Boris Johnson called on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres and to avoid all non-essential contacts and travel.

SEE ALSO: Here’s when you should self-isolate and how to do it

Reid confirmed she was following the Prime Minister's advice despite her and her children having ‘perfectly normal temperatures’.

She added: ‘I don't have a cough. I have no symptoms. I am not feeling fatigued. I feel 100 per cent healthy.

‘And in other circumstances, before the advice changed yesterday, I would have come into work.

‘Then the advice changed. If there is a persistent cough and/or a fever then the whole household has to self-isolate.

‘There is no test to establish whether this is actually the virus and I have huge doubts it is. I really just don't think it is. I think it is a seasonal cough.’

Reid's co-host Piers Morgan quipped that she had taken extreme measures to miss working with him.

‘I have heard of some ways of avoiding working with me but this is ridiculous,’ he said.

Coronavirus: the facts

What is coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can affect lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus.

What caused coronavirus?

The outbreak started in Wuhan in China in December 2019 and it is thought that the virus, like others of its kind, has come from animals.

How is it spread?

As this is such a new illness, experts still aren’t sure how it is spread. But similar viruses are spread in cough droplets. Therefore covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and disposing of used tissues straight away is advised. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS states that the symptoms are: a dry cough, high temperature and shortness of breath - but these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. Look out for flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose and a sore throat. It’s important to remember that some people may become infected but won’t develop any symptoms or feel unwell.

What precautions can be taken?

Washing your hands with soap and water thoroughly. The NHS also advises to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze; put used tissues in the bin immediately and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Also avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean.

Sources: World Health Organisation and NHS