ANOTHER minister forced to isolate after fears of fresh coronavirus outbreak in Whitehall
ANOTHER minister has been forced to isolate after fears of a fresh coronavirus outbreak in Whitehall.
The Government has been hit by fresh covid turmoil after Minister Chris Philp came into contact with a Home Office official who tested positive.
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It is understood a number of staff members at the department are now also off work to avoid a fresh outbreak of the virus in Westminster.
The Sun understands the minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts is now self isolating after the incident.
It comes as:
- England was revealed to have the highest excess death rate in Europe after new figures were revealed
- Matt Hancock denied the Government is pushing "hysteria" and insisted a second wave of coronavirus is rolling across Europe.
- It was announced that Brits with coronavirus symptoms will be forced to self-isolate for ten days instead of seven to halt an infection surge
- Half of Spain's coronavirus victims are showing no symptoms and spreading it without knowing, a new study showed
- Brits will be warned not to travel to Belgium and Luxembourg by the end of the week – throwing face-to-face Brexit talks in doubt
A series of government ministers have been forced into self isolation throughout the crisis, or even had to actually fight off the virus.
Boris Johnson was forced into intensive care with the virus back in April, having tested positive along with Matt Hancock on March 27.
Nadine Dorries became the first to test positive back in March, causing Health Minister Edward Argar to self-osolate after the pair had lunch.
Ben Wallace was also forced to self-isolate after feeling symptoms, as did Scottish Secretary Alister Jack.
The Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty also tested positive for the virus, as did Whitehall Chief Sir Mark Sedwill.
It comes as Mr Hancock denied the Government is pushing "hysteria" and insisted a second wave of coronavirus is rolling across Europe.
The Health Secretary this morning expressed concerns over the number of cases in not just Europe but across the globe, and doubled down on warnings that everyone must continue to be cautious.
England has the highest number of excess deaths in Europe during the coronavirus pandemic, new figures released today have shown.
Although Spain had the biggest spike in excess mortality - deaths from all causes, not just coronavirus, above the five year average - England has had the longest continuous period with more deaths than usual.
An interactive map by the Office for National Statistics shows the number of excess deaths across Europe and enables users to search by their local area.