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The Queen tests positive for Covid
The world longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms. Buckingham Palace made the announcement on Sunday, Feb. 20, and stated that the 95-year-old British monarch will continue with light duties at Windsor Castle over the coming week.
The Queen, had been in contact with her eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales, and daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall who have both recently contracted COVID-19. A number of people are believed to have tested positive at Windsor Castle, where the Queen resides.
The palace said in a statement: “She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropri-ate guidelines.” The Queen’s diagnosis comes days after she completed her first in-person engagement since returning to Windsor. The queen has received three doses of coronavirus vaccine.
Following the announcement, the Queen issued a congratulatory message to the Team GB Curling teams. She heralded the teams’ “outstanding performance” at the Winter Olympics, which led to the women securing a gold medal and the men silver. She said: “I know that your local communities and people throughout the United Kingdom will join me in sending our good wishes to you, your coaches and the friends and family who have supported you in your great success.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health”.
Leader of the Opposition, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer, also wished the monarch “good health and a speedy recov-ery”, adding: “Get well soon, Ma’am.”
The announcement comes weeks after the UK’s longest reigning monarch reached her Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on 6 February.
On the eve of her Jubilee, she carried out her first major public engagement for more than three months, meet-ing charity workers at Sandringham House.
The Queen, who will be 96 in April, had her first vaccine in January 2021 and is believed to have had all her follow-up jabs after that.
