- The Prime Minister was transferred to the ICU at St Thomas’ Hospital in London at 7pm this evening
- He remains conscious and Number 10 sources stressed he had been moved to intensive care as a precaution
- Mr Johnson has asked foreign secretary Dominic Raab to deputise for him ‘where necessary’
- Mr Raab reassured that the premier was ‘receiving excellent care’ and thanked the NHS medics treating him
- UK declared a further 439 coronavirus deaths, taking the toll to 5,373, while cases rose by 3,802 to 51,608
Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care after his coronavirus condition worsened, Downing Street announced tonight.
The Prime Minister was transferred to the ICU at St Thomas’ Hospital in London at 7pm this evening – 11 days after testing positive for the deadly disease.
He remains conscious and Number 10 sources stressed he had been moved to the critical care unit as a precaution should he require a ventilator.
But Mr Johnson has asked foreign secretary Dominic Raab to deputise for him ‘where necessary’, although it is understood Mr Raab will not formally become a temporary prime minister.
Speaking tonight after the PM was moved to intensive care, Mr Raab insisted that ‘government business will continue’ and said there is a fantastic ‘team spirit’ among ministers.
He also reassured that the premier was ‘receiving excellent care’ and thanked the NHS medics who were treating him and other patients across Britain.
Mr Raab’s role as first secretary of state – the second most senior cabinet minister after the PM – means he is primed to take charge of the government’s coronavirus response at this critical period as cases approach the peak.
Following the PM’s hospitalisation last night on the advice of his doctor, Mr Raab had already stepped up to chair this morning’s daily meeting of top officials steering the nation through the health crisis.
And at this afternoon’s Downing Street press briefing, he confirmed a further 439 coronavirus deaths, taking the toll to 5,373, while the number of patients rose by 3,802 to 51,608.
Mr Johnson was still in charge during this press conference, but his symptoms spiralled and he required oxygen, prompting the move to critical care, according to Sky News.
Health experts tonight appeared unanimous in their view that the PM’s admission to intensive care means he is ‘extremely sick’.
Yet world leaders and politicians around the globe rallied around Mr Johnson, who received well wishers from David Cameron, Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump.
The Queen has also been kept informed by Downing Street about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s condition, Buckingham Palace said.
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Originally posted on DailyMail.co.uk