UK Defence Secretary Self-Isolating After Military Chief Tests Positive for COVID-19

Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Nick Carter on March 19, 2021. Andrew Matthews/PA

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and a number of top military commanders are self-isolating after Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Nick Carter tested positive for CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, the Ministry of Defense has confirmed.

In a statement, a spokesman from the ministry said: “The chief of the defense staff has tested positive during routine COVID-19 checks. Colleagues who were in a senior meeting with him last week, including the secretary of state, are self-isolating in line with government guidelines.”

Carter tested positive last week, after he was in a meeting on June 24 with Wallace, Vice Chief of the Defense Staff Adm. Tim Fraser, Chief of the General Staff Gen. Mark Carleton-Smith, First Sea Lord Adm. Tony Radakin, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, and Commander of Strategic Command Gen. Patrick Sanders.

Social distancing measures are said to have been adhered to during the meeting, but Radakin, Wigston, and Sanders still came into contact with Carter, who tested positive the day after the meeting, following an appearance at the Chalke Valley History Festival on Jue 25.

The Telegraph reported that Carleton-Smith and Carter’s deputy had “remained at a physical distance” from Carter during the June 24 meeting.

Those who are self-isolating are expected to conduct business remotely.

According to government guidelines for England, people must self-isolate after being advised to do so by the National Health Service (NHS) Test and Trace program.

The NHS advises people to self-isolate immediately when notified by its app that they’ve come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the CCP virus.

Those who self-isolate are advised not to leave home for any reason other than essential care for 10 days, starting from the day on which the close contact has occurred.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer have previously self-isolated after being notified by the Test and Trace mobile app.

PA contributed to this report.