Queen's staff at Buckingham Palace tested positive for coronavirus days before she left for Windsor
A worker from the Buckingham Palace has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Queen Elizabeth was in London when the news of the worker came to light before she left for Windsor a week earlier than planned for Easter break.
The Queen, 93, was joined at Windsor by her husband Prince Philip, 98, who traveled by helicopter from his home at Wood Farm, Sandringham in Norfolk, amid an anticipated lockdown of London. The Queen left a week early as a precautionary measure following the government's announcement that the spread of the coronavirus in London is thought to be some weeks ahead of the rest of the UK.
After the worker tested positive for the COVID-19, officials informed that they have taken the necessary steps to protect all the employees and people involved. A source told Daily Mail, "The Palace has 500 members of staff so, like any workplace, it's not inconceivable it would be affected in some stage."
The worker, whose name has not been revealed, has been quarantined. The Sun publication implied that the worker is recovering. Every member of the staff who might have come in contact with the worker is placed under self-isolation, according to the publication. It is yet not confirmed if the worker had gotten close to the Queen, the royal source informed The Sun and added that the Queen is in good health.
A palace spokesperson told the publication, "We wouldn't comment on individual members of staff. In line with the appropriate guidance and our own processes, we have taken the necessary actions to protect all employees and people involved."
There have reportedly been 5067 coronavirus cases in the UK with a death toll of 234 and 67 people have recovered. As the numbers rise rapidly, the Queen urged Britain to come together amid the coronavirus crisis and assured the country that the royal family is ready to 'play its part' in beating the deadly infection.
"We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them," the Queen addressed the nation according to The Guardian.
The Queen added, "At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal."
In the midst of the increasing numbers, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a lockdown urging everyone to self-isolate and added that restaurants, bars and cinemas are off-limit. Admitting that the squeeze could last 12 weeks or even longer, Johnson acknowledged he was 'asking a lot'. The British authorities urged people above 70 to take extra precautions as it is said to be a greater risk to the elderly and those with underlining chronic diseases.
According to PlymouthLive, military planners have now been called in to help with localized support systems as people at high risk from the coronavirus were urged to stay home for at least 12 weeks. The move came as Johnson called for Britons to rethink visiting their parents on Mother's Day, with the Prime Minister warning the Covid-19 outbreak is "accelerating".