Business Secretary Alok Sharma ‘grateful’ for support after he tests negative for coronavirus
Alok Sharma fell ill after a Commons appearance on Wednesday.
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Business Secretary Alok Sharma has tested negative for coronavirus.
The Cabinet minister expressed his “huge thanks” to those who wished him well after he went into self-isolation on Wednesday following a faltering appearance at the Commons despatch box.
Mr Sharma’s decision to self-isolate had raised fears that other Cabinet ministers and MPs could have fallen ill.
But, in a message posted to Twitter on Thursday night, the MP for Reading West said: “Huge thanks to everyone for their really kind messages over the last 24 hours and my grateful thanks also to the parliamentary authorities and Speaker for their support yesterday.
“Just had results in and my test for Covid-19 was negative.
The news was met with relief from fellow MPs, with Mr Sharma’s Labour opposite number Ed Miliband saying: “Glad to hear this. Hope you are feeling better.”
The announcement came after Number 10 confirmed Mr Sharma, who was seen repeatedly wiping his forehead at the despatch box on Wednesday, had attended a 45-minute meeting with Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak beforehand.
It also followed wider row over the Government’s decision to order MPs back to the House of Commons after weeks of virtual proceedings in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19.
