PM moved to intensive care
Johnson admitted in case he may need ventilator
BORIS JOHNSON was last night moved to the intensive care unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in London as his coronavirus symptoms worsened.
The Prime Minister, 55, was admitted to hospital on Sunday after his symptoms persisted for 10 days.
Having been in hospital for tests and observation, his doctors advised that he be admitted to intensive care yesterday evening.
Mr Johnson is understood to be conscious and was moved to intensive care at about 7pm as a precaution should he require ventilation to aid his recovery.
Earlier in the day Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had insisted the PM was in “good spirits” and was still “in charge of the Government”.
But Mr Raab will now “deputise where necessary”, a Number 10 spokesperson said.
“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,” they said.
“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.”
Professor Derek Hill, Professor of Medical Imaging at University College London (UCL), said it was “very likely” Mr Johnson would be put on a mechanical ventilator in intensive care.
He said: “It seems clear that the Prime Minister went to hospital because he had difficulty breathing.
“It seems he was initially put on oxygen, and was conscious.
“But as often happens with Covid-19, his condition has now deteriorated so he has been admitted to intensive care where he is very likely to have been put on a mechanical ventilator to breath for him.”
Dr Hill added: “It isn’t yet clear whether Boris Johnson is breathing on his own – with help from the ventilator.
“Or whether he has been heavily sedated and paralysed and the machine is doing all the breathing for him.”
A number of politicians sent well wishes for the Prime Minister last night, including Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who said:
“My thoughts tonight are with @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds. I know he’ll be getting the best care possible and will come out of this even stronger.”
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.”
Others expressed concerns for Mr Johnson’s pregnant fiancée Carrie Symonds, who had just recovered from the illness.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Monday morning that Mr Johnson had been continuing to work on his official papers from his hospital bed.
In a tweet yesterday, the Prime Minister said: “I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe.”
His spokesman, however, declined to give details of any treatment he had received or when he might be discharged. Mr Johnson was tested positive for coronavirus on March 27 and had been self-isolating in the Downing Street flat.
The decision to admit him to hospital on Sunday was taken on his doctor’s advice after his symptoms continued.