An MP who grew up in Watford has been taken to hospital with pneumonia after testing positive for Covid-19.

Yasmin Qureshi, who represents Bolton South East, said she started to feel unwell about two weeks ago and immediately self-isolated at home.

The 57-year-old Labour MP was then admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital on Saturday after beginning to feel "much worse".

She wrote on her Facebook page: "Two weeks ago, I began to feel unwell. I then tested positive for Covid-19, so my family and I immediately self-isolated at home. I have not travelled to Westminster or anywhere else.

"I continued to work as best I could remotely, attending virtual meetings and doing casework, but after 10 days, I began to feel much worse and on Saturday I was admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital with pneumonia.

Harrow Times:

Yasmin Qureshi said she is being well looked after in hospital. Photo: Facebook

"I'm being very well looked after and have nothing but praise and admiration for the wonderful staff at the hospital. They have been amazing throughout the process and I would like to extend my thanks to everyone working here in such difficult circumstances.

"Although I am currently in hospital, my staff are continuing to work as normal."

Ms Qureshi was nine when she moved from Pakistan to Watford with her family in 1972.

Labour leader Keir Starmer tweeted his support for Ms Qureshi, saying: "My thoughts are with my friend @YasminQureshiMP who has been admitted to hospital after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

"My thanks go to the staff caring for Yasmin at the Royal Bolton Hospital, along with NHS staff across the country who are on the frontline against Covid-19."

Harrow Times:

Keir Starmer has tweeted his support for Ms Qureshi. Photo: Twitter

Ms Qureshi, who is shadow international development minister, has been one of the Greater Manchester MPs arguing against Tier 3 restrictions being imposed.

Local leaders, including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, have called on the Government to provide better financial support before imposing the top tier lockdown rules.