Health Secretary Matt Hancock describes coronavirus infection as ‘nasty’ after losing half a stone

The Health Secretary said coronavirus was a "pretty unpleasant experience"

Hancock told the Today Programme that he has now fully recovered from the "nasty" illness, which saw him suffer sleepless nights and an "incredibly" sore throat.

He said Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has continued to work despite also testing positive for the virus, is a "bit under the weather".

Describing his own recovery, Hancock said: “I went downhill on Thursday last week and for a couple of nights it was very hard to sleep, incredibly painful throat, it was like having glass in my throat."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has now recovered from Covid-19.

He said he had also suffered a "bit of a cough" and lost half a stone in weight.

The Prime Minister, who also tested positive for the illness, could appear at a press conference this afternoon after completing a week of self-isolation.

Boris Johnson appeared last night at the door of 11 Downing Street, where he is in self isolation, to join applause for the NHS.

However, his official spokesman said yesterday that official guidance would be followed, which requires anyone who still has a fever after seven days to continue isolating.

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