These are the other MPs self-isolating - after Boris Johnson met with Covid positive Lee Anderson
At least four more MPs are self-isolating after it was announced that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had met with Lee Anderson MP, who later tested positive for the virus.
The Prime Minister confirmed on Monday (16 Nov) morning that he would be self-isolating, having been “pinged” by NHS Test and Trace, after he’d been in contact with fellow Conservative MP, Mr Anderson.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSince then, a number of MPs have confirmed that they have also been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and instructed to self-isolate, in line with national guidance.
Which MPs are self-isolating?
The other MPs who have so far confirmed they are self-isolating were also present at the meeting with the Prime Minister and Mr Anderson.
Grimsby MP, Lia Nici, said she had been contacted and told to self-isolate, and would work from home although she currently has no symptoms.
Andy Carter, MP for Warrington South, tweeted to say he would be self-isolating in line with the rules.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBrendan Clarke-Smith, who represents Bassetlaw, and MP for South Ribble, Katherine Fletcher will also be self-isolating.
Current guidelines mean they will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Can you catch coronavirus twice?
While some people have suggested it is unnecessary for the Prime Minister to self-isolate, as he has already had and recovered from coronavirus, many experts think it is the right thing to do.
While it is generally thought that having coronavirus allows an individual to build up an immunity to it, there have been a small number of cases of reinfection recorded, which some scientists believe underestimate the issue.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSpeaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, professor of immunology at Imperial College London, Danny Altmann, said that more than 25 reinfection cases have been confirmed, but “most of us think the rate of reinfection is quite a lot higher than that”.
He commented, “I think my bottom line is not to be alarmist because whatever the risk is, it is low.
“If we’ve learnt anything since the beginning of 2020, it’s that this is an incredibly infectious and scary virus and you can’t take it too seriously.
“So all the things that we know about – using masks, well-ventilated work spaces – following those rules really matter. And if you’ve got one take-home message from a reinfection discussion, it’s not to be blase because you’ve had it or you think you’ve had it.”