NOW STRICKEN BORIS TAKEN TO INTENSIVE CARE

Shock as No10 reveal PM’s condition worsens Raab is crisis stand-in as our Prime Minister Agony for Carrie as she’s unable to see him

BORIS Johnson was moved to intensive care with coronavirus last night after his condition dramatically worsened.

Doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital in London took the drastic step because the Prime Minister was struggling to breathe.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was last night placed in temporary charge of a Government already reeling from the impact of the epidemic.

A source said Mr Johnson was ‘conscious’ and had been moved to intensive care in case

he had to be placed on a ventilator to help his breathing. A White House source briefed on the PM’s condition described the situation as ‘very grave’.

In a dramatic statement issued shortly after 8pm, No 10 said: ‘Since Sunday evening, the Prime Minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.

‘Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital. The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.

‘The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.’

Earlier No 10 had said that Mr Johnson remained ‘very much in charge’.

He was still insisting on receiving his official papers in hospital yesterday, despite being under observation.

And the Prime Minister himself insisted yesterday – via social media – that he was in ‘good spirits’. At 5pm, Mr Raab told reporters that Mr Johnson was still in charge but under questioning admitted he had not spoken to the Prime Minister directly since Saturday – the day before he was taken in to hospital.

Two hours later Mr Johnson was transferred to intensive care. As good wishes for the Prime Minister poured in from across the political world:

The Chief Medical Officer said it would be a ‘mistake’ to even start talking about lifting the lockdown restrictions;

The UK daily death toll slowed to 439; Viewing figures showed more than 23million people watched the Queen’s Sunday night message; A senior government adviser said none of the antibody tests bought by the NHS is accurate enough so far; A leaked memo from doctors suggested hospitals are running short of equipment such as pumps and dialysis machines; Ministers urged councils to try to avoid shutting parks – but warned sunbathers they were breaking the lockdown rules;

Testing of NHS staff remained stubbornly low, with just 1,000 front-line workers assessed on Sunday.

Donald Trump led those wishing Mr Johnson well, saying he was a ‘great friend’. Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted a picture of herself with the PM, saying her thoughts were with him and his family.

Newly appointed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘Terribly sad news. All the country’s thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time.’

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: ‘My thoughts are with the PM and his family – sending him every good wish.’

Mr Johnson tested positive for the virus on the evening of March 26. Throughout last week, Downing Street continued to insist that he was suffering only ‘mild symptoms’.

But concern was raised after he was unable to meet his self-imposed target of leaving quarantine last Friday.

No 10 said the PM was admitted to hospital on Sunday night as a ‘precaution’ following a telephone consultation with his doctor. He was said to be undergoing routine tests.

Mr Johnson’s girlfriend Carrie Symonds, who is expecting his child, will not be able to see him because he is in isolation.

Latest coronavirus video news, views and expert advice at mailplus.co.uk/coronavirus

Comment – Page 16

‘Hard work and dedication’