British Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed on Friday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, followed an hour later with a similar message from health secretary Matt Hancock.

First, Johnson, 55, said he had “developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus, that’s a temperature and a persistent cough” but added that he was “working from home and self-isolating” and will continue to “lead the national fightback against the virus”.

Hancock, 41, who is in charge of making sure the National Health Service (NHS) can cope with the expected surge in patients, tweeted: “I’ve tested positive. Thankfully my symptoms are mild and I’m working from home & self-isolating.”

The question is how does the government function if the top team leading Britain through the crisis is taken out, even if temporarily.

A decidedly wan-looking Johnson said in a video posted by the Prime Minister’s office: “I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of technology, to communicate with my top team.”

Johnson sat next to senior ministers on the government benches in the Commons on Wednesday.

In terms of protocol, foreign secretary Dominic Raab, 46, is meant to take over as acting Prime Minister if Johnson is too ill to function.