Sophie is self-isolating at home, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. The Countess is not experiencing any symptoms, aides added, but she is nevertheless following Government guidance on coronavirus.
An official statement issued by the palace read: “Earlier this week The Countess of Wessex came into contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.
“She is not experiencing any symptoms, but is following all relevant government guidelines and is self-isolating at home.”
Sophie isn’t believed to have recently come into contact with any other member of the Royal Family but her husband, Prince Edward, and her two children, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.
The Government requires everyone who has been contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service, its app or knows to have been in touch with someone with COVID-19 to self-isolate for 14 days.
Family and friends outside Sophie’s household won’t be able to visit the royal over the next fortnight.
Similarly, Sophie will be asked to have as little contact as possible with people living in her own home, at Bagshot Park.
The NHS doesn’t require people Sophie lives with – Edward, Louise and James – to self-isolate as the Countess doesn’t have any symptoms at the moment.
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The Government guidelines read: “People you live with do not need to self-isolate if you do not have symptoms.
“People in your support bubble do not need to self-isolate if you do not have symptoms.”
Only people who present symptoms linked with coronavirus, such as a high fever, a new and continuous cough or loss or change of taste or smell, are required by the NHS to get a test as soon as possible.
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Royal fans took to Twitter to express their concern for Sophie.
Isabella wrote: “Let’s hope she’s okay.”
Carol said: “Fingers crossed it all goes well”.
And a royal fan account named Her Majesty The Queen added: “Sending her love. Let’s hope she will be negative”.
Another royal fan also expressed concerns for the monarch’s health.
Royally Heather wrote on Twitter: “Was she tested? Hopefully she is not in Queen Elizabeth II’s bubble and has not come in contact with her this week!!!”
Hardworking Sophie has carried out several engagements over the past few days.
On October 5, Sophie visited Stepping Stones School in Hindhead to mark World Teachers’ Day, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, the Court Circular shows.
The day before, the Countess took part in the virtual 2020 London Marathon in support of one of her patronages, Royal Mencap Society.
Sophie didn’t take part in any engagement with the Queen, and hasn’t met with the monarch privately, according to an insider.
A palace source said: “The Countess has not been in contact with the Queen or any other royals outside her own family since meeting the affected person.
“She will continue to self isolate at home as per the government advice.”
