Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he has fully recovered from Covid thanks to ‘amazing vaccines’

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he has made a full recovery from coronavirus after just one week – and urged others to get vaccinated.

Mr Javid, who took over the Department for Health and Social Care from Matt Hancock last month, tested positive for the virus last week. He said he has not suffered from severe symptoms but had taken the test because he felt “groggy”.

“Full recovery from Covid a week after testing positive. Symptoms were very mild, thanks to amazing vaccines,” he said in a tweet.

He urged others to get a coronavirus vaccine, saying: “Please – if you haven’t yet – get your jab, as we learn to live with, rather than cower from, this virus.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to be freed from self-isolation on Monday after being ‘pinged’ alongside Chancellor Rishi Sunak over a meeting with Mr Javid prior to his positive test.

Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak caused controversy last weekend when Downing Street said they would claim an exemption from rules requiring people to self-isolate, but the decision was abandoned within hours after a substantial backlash.

The Covid drama within Downing Street scuppered any plans for photo opportunities connected to ‘freedom day’ on Monday, with the three top ministers unable to join those taking advantage of England’s relaxed rules on large events and social distancing.

A former Chancellor and Home Secretary, Mr Javid was appointed Health Secretary after Matt Hancock resigned following the publication of images allegedly showing him kissing his senior aide.

Mr Hancock admitted breaking the social distancing rules he imposed on the country with aide Gina Coladangelo and stepped down from his post.

Downing Street also confirmed that Mr Hancock had personally appointed Ms Coladangelo, leading to questions about conflicts of interest in the appointment of a taxpayer-funded role.

Since taking over, Mr Javid has been instrumental in lifting coronavirus restrictions, removing all remaining measures in England on 19 July.

He has also pressed ahead with an overhaul of the hospital system which would hand him greater control over the NHS – despite accusations the move is a “power grab”.