BT says its CEO has tested positive for COVID-19

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's biggest telecoms group BT <BT.L> said its chief executive, Philip Jansen, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

"Having felt slightly unwell I decided as a precaution to be tested. As soon as the test results were known I isolated myself at home," Jansen said in a statement.

"I've met several industry partners this week so felt it was the responsible thing to do to alert them to this fact as soon as I could."

Britain's government said on Monday that Jansen and executives from other mobile phone operators, including Mark Evans, the CEO of O2, and Dave Dyson, the CEO of Three, were due to attend the signing that day of a deal to improve rural phone coverage.

In BT's statement, Jansen said his symptoms seemed mild and he would work remotely over the coming week, avoiding disruption to BT's business.

(Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Sandra Maler and Mike Collett-White)