Internet users share hilarious memes as Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus after declaring 'I shook hands with everyone' on hospital visit (11 Pics)

Twitter has reacted to the announcement that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for Covid-19. 

The 55-year-old PM released a video on the social media network praising NHS staff and said he was now in self-isolation but still in a position to run the government. 

However, social media users took the opportunity to mock the PM, who claimed 10 days ago that he had shaken hands with coronavirus patients. 

One Twitter user thought it would be funny to use Jeff Stelling in a meme about Boris Johnson

One social media user posted an image of a dumped fridge to reference the PM's disappearance into a cold store when facing questioning while on the campaign trail in last December's general election

Another Twitter user thought it was rather awkward that Boris Johnson might not have followed his own social isolation guidelines having contracted Covid-19

Several people made the same point about Mr Johnson claiming he had shaken the hand of people suffering from coronavirus 

Social media wags used screengrabs from shows such as The Simpsons and Game of Thrones to mock the Prime Minister. 

Others used screengrabs taken from the State Opening of Parliament and from football to comment acerbically on the news. 

Mr Johnson said he noticed he had 'mild symptoms' of coronavirus and was advised by the Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty. 

Since Mr Johnnson's revelation, it has also been confirmed that his Health Secretary  Matt Hancock has been 

oris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Prime Minister said he will continue to lead the 'national fightback' against the virus despite being forced to self-isolate.

Mr Johnson released a Twitter video where he confirmed he was suffering 'mild symptoms' 

Mr Johnson stressed he was still in a position to run the country from his isolated position in his flat at Number 11 Downing Street

Mr Johnson's Health Secretary has also been infected with Covid-19 

The 55-year-old PM said he had mild symptoms - including a high temperature and persistent cough - and will work from his flat in Number 11 for the next week.

Nearly two hours after Mr Johnson announced he had tested positive for Covid-19, Mr Hancock tweeted that he too had mild symptoms and was working from home and self-isolating.

He said: 'Fortunately for me the symptoms so far have been very mild so I've been able to carry on with the work driving forward the UK response.'

Mr Johnson noticed that he had mild symptoms on Thursday afternoon and received the test results at midnight, Downing Street said.

His pregnant partner Carrie Symonds is not believed to be with the PM, and is reportedly isolating alone in Camberwell, south London, with the couple's dog, Dilyn.

In a video message posted to Twitter, Mr Johnson said: 'I'm working from home and self-isolating and that's 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 all my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.

'I want to thank everybody involved and, of course, our amazing NHS staff.'

One Manchester United fan asked whether Ryan Giggs should become PM until the end of the season 

Others claimed, more seriously, that the other people in this photograph could be at risk of developing coronavirus

Not all social media users made serious points about this afternoon's announcement 

The Prime Minister's spokesman told a Westminster briefing that the PM dialled into the daily 'war cabinet' meeting from Number 11, and will continue to do so while he is self-isolating.

'He will do the same things but that will be done exclusively via teleconferencing on his part,' the spokesman said.

However, Mr Johnson will not appear at Friday's press conference.

Meals and work will be left outside the PM's flat, while the doors between Number 10 and Number 11 have been closed off to all other staff who work in the building.

A spokesman for the Chancellor said Rishi Sunak has not had any symptoms and therefore has not been tested for coronavirus and is not self-isolating.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson today confirmed he has been diagnosed with Covid-19