File image of Nadine Dorries. Image courtesy: Sky News

British MP Nadine Dorries, who is also a minister in the health department, has tested positive for coronavirus.

This was revealed by Dorries herself in a statement on Tuesday.

“I can confirm I have tested positive for coronavirus,” said the Conservative MP.

She futher stated she has been self-isolating at home.

Health officials are now trying to trace where she contracted the virus and who she has been in contact with, she added.

Dorries, who helped craft the legislation to fight the bug, is the first British politician to be diagnosed with COVID-19, raising immediate concern about whether she has spread the infection.

Also read: Coronavirus symptoms take five days to show: Study

Reports claimed she had been in touch with hundreds of people, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

She fell unwell on Friday while signing the document that declared coronavirus a notifiable disease, meaning companies could obtain insurance cover.

She was now believed to be on the road to recovery.