UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for COVID 19. He announced this in a tweet posted Friday morning.

Mr Johnson said he was experiencing “mild symptoms” and would be leading the country from home while self-isolating.

He is the first major world leader to announce a positive test, even though several high profile personalities including Prince Charles and other celebrities have announced same.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel is self-isolating after a doctor who gave her a vaccination tested positive. Canada’s Justin Trudeau is also self-isolating with his wife Sophie after she tested positive following a trip to London.

Other leaders who have been tested but say their results have come back negative include the presidents of Brazil, the US and the Philippines. Concerns were raised after several Brazilian officials tested positive after returning from a trip with Jair Bolsonaro to meet Donald Trump. Both leaders have hit out at critics and refused to self-isolate, despite WHO recommendations for anyone with possible exposure to do so.

The disease has brought the world to a standstill with a dozen countries announcing a lockdown.

Businesses have shutdown, with the airline industry badly hit. Countries have taken steps to ameliorate what could largely be a global recession.