Rachael Maskell MP advised to self isolate after meeting with Health Minister Nadine Dorries

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Nadine Dorries confirmed on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with coronavirus
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Bonnie Christian11 March 2020
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A Labour MP has been advised to self-isolate after meeting with Health Minister Nadine Dorries who has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

Rachel Maskell said she met with Ms Dorries last Thursday. The minister confirmed on Tuesday she had tested positive for Covid-19.

On Wednesday, Ms Maskell tweeted she had been advised by NHS111 to self-isolate but that she was asymptomatic.

"It is so important that we all follow all public health advice," she added.

Ms Maskell said that only her, Ms Dorries and members of the minister’s staff were present at the meeting on Thursday.

The York Central MP said being told to self-isolate was “frustrating” but stressed the importance of following medical advice.

“I’m absolutely fine, obviously it’s frustrating because there are things I want to get on with.

“I’m just planning on making more phone calls, more working online. I’m not going to be bored, put it that way.”

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Meanwhile, a Conservative MP has confirmed that Ms Dorries has sent a message to the Tory WhatsApp group saying that a member of her staff is ill.

The MP who confirmed that the message had been sent said the parliamentary party is “fairly relaxed and determined to carry on working”.

Ms Dorries has said she has been self-isolating at hom after testing positive, and her parliamentary office has closed following advice from Public Health England.

It came after the number of cases in the UK rose to 382, and a sixth death was confirmed.

In a statement on Tuesday night, Ms Dorries said: “As soon as I was informed I took all the advised precautions and have been self-isolating at home.

“Public Health England has started detailed contact tracing and the department and my parliamentary office are closely following their advice.

“I would like to thank PHE and the wonderful NHS staff who have provided me with advice and support.”

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said she first exhibited symptoms at some time on Thursday – the same day she attended a Downing Street event hosted by Boris Johnson to mark International Women’s Day.

The Department said there were no plans for any minsters to be tested, but could not confirm the same for officials or advisers. Contact tracing is under way, a spokesman said.

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