British PM Johnson taken to intensive care unit
BRITAIN’S PRIME MINISTER TAKES TURN FOR WORSE IN COVID-19 FIGHT
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care Monday night after his coronavirus symptoms worsened. The prime minister was admitted to the unit at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London at 7 p.m. when his condition deteriorated.
The move is understood to have been made so the prime minister can have access to a ventilator. He remained conscious last night when moved to ICU as a precaution, government sources said.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will deputize for the prime minister, No. 10 said last night.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “Since Sunday evening, the prime minister has been under the care of doctors at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, 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 the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, who is the first secretary of state to deputize for him where necessary. The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.”
Johnson’s admission to hospital on Sunday came more than a week after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Earlier Monday, he tweeted that he was in “good spirits” while aides insisted he remained in charge of the country from his hospital bed.
However, hours later his symptoms worsened and his medical team decided to move him into the intensive care unit.
The decision to move patients to intensive care is reserved for the most serious cases.
Earlier this week, Prof. Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, pointed to data gathered by the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre which suggests critical care for COVID-19 patients is less effective than for other types of viral pneumonia.
“Sadly about half of cases (50.1 per cent) that go into critical care still die. This is much higher than for other viral pneumonias (22.4 per cent). Why this is the case and how much higher this figure would be without critical care beds is not clear.”
Carrie Symonds, Johnson’s partner, is thought to have been unable to visit him since he was admitted.
Symonds is pregnant with the couple’s first child and has been self-isolating after suffering symptoms of the virus herself.
Political colleagues offered their support to Johnson.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “My thoughts tonight are with Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds. I know he’ll be getting the best care possible and will come out of this even stronger.”
David Cameron, the former prime minister, wrote on Twitter: “Thinking of Boris Johnson and his family tonight. Get well soon. You are in great hands and we all want you safe, well and back in 10 Downing Street.”
Sajid Javid, the former chancellor, said: “Boris is one of the strongest people I know. Thinking of him, Carrie and his family tonight. Get well soon, the country needs you.”
Sir Keir Starmer, the new Labour leader, said: “Terribly sad news. All the country’s thoughts are with the prime minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, tweeted his support and wished Johnson a speedy recovery.
Buckingham Palace said the Queen was being kept informed of the prime minister’s condition.
Before his move to ICU, Johnson’s aides had said that he was working from his hospital bed and having his red box of official business brought to him.
He even posted a message from the hospital saying: “I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe. I’d like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain.”
Johnson was first diagnosed with coronavirus on March 26 and continued to carry out cabinet meetings via video-link and updated the public on his condition through a series of online video messages.
He was last seen in public on Thursday night when he applauded NHS workers.
Cabinet colleagues had urged Johnson to rest and focus on his recovery.