Long Ditton MP Dominic Raab is standing by to take charge of the coronavirus crisis as acting PM after Downing Street confirmed that the latest Covid-19 victim is Boris Johnson.

The prime minister is said to have ‘mild symptoms’ and will self-isolate at No10.

“He was tested for coronavirus on the personal advice of England’s chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty,” said a statement.

At present he is remaining in charge of the government’s handling of the crisis, the statement added.

In a video, Mr Johnson reported: “Hi folks I want to bring you up to speed on something that is happening today, which is that I have developed mild symptoms of coronavirus, that is to say a temperature and a persistent cough, and on the advice of the chief medical officer I have taken a test.

‘That has come out positive so I am working from home, I am self isolating.

‘That is entirely the right thing to do but be in no doubt that I can continue thanks to the wizardry of modern technology to communicate with my top team.”

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and MP for Esher and Walton – including Long Ditton, and Thames Ditton where he lives – was already designated to fill in if the PM is incapacitated.

Raab is now said to be taking even stricter precautions to remain healthy.