PM PUT IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
JOHNSON’S SYMPTOMS WORSEN 11 DAYS AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR KILLER VIRUS
CORONAVIRUS patient Boris Johnson was last night moved to intensive care after taking a turn for the worse.
The prime minister remained ‘conscious at this time’ and had been moved as a precaution in case he needed to be put on a ventilator, No.10 announced.
He asked for his No.2 Dominic Raab, who earlier revealed they had not spoken since Saturday, to deputise for him ‘where necessary’.
Mr Johnson was diagnosed 11 days ago and was admitted to hospital on Sunday after suffering persistent symptoms. Downing Street said last night: ‘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 is thought to have been given oxygen at St Thomas’ hospital, part of the Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS trust, as doctors warned he risked contracting viral pneumonia.
Sadiq Khan, his successor as mayor of London, tweeted: ‘Praying for the Prime Minister’s swift recovery tonight. @GSTTnhs has some of the finest medical staff in the world, and he couldn’t be in safer hands.’
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.’
The SNP’s Westminster group leader Ian Blackford posted: ‘This is very worrying news. Thoughts and prayers with Boris, @carriesymonds and all their family.
‘This is such a terrible virus that we
all must take seriously. Get well soon Boris, look forward to you being back.’ The virus has now killed 5,373 people in the UK after the death toll rose by another 439 yesterday.
And hopes of any early end to the lockdown have been scotched. A review had been promised this weekend.
But Prof Dame Angela McLean, the Ministry of Defence’s chief scientific adviser, said: ‘We need to know how well the current restrictions are working before we can say anything sensible about what the next stage should be.’
Mr Johnson, 55, tweeted his thanks to the NHS staff looking after him saying he was admitted for observation on the advice of his doctor.
‘I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe,’ he wrote.
‘Stay safe everyone.’ Hours before it emerged Mr Johnson had been moved at 7pm to intensive care, foreign secretary Mr Raab had been insisting the PM was still well enough to run the country.
He said Mr Johnson was ‘in charge’. But he now finds himself at the helm after the virus cut a swathe through government.
Chief medical officer Chris Whitty (pictured) yesterday returned to work after being infected.
Health secretary Matt Hancock also had time off with it and Mr Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings had to selfisolate.
The PM’s six-months pregnant fiancée Carrie Symonds, 32, revealed at the weekend she had been laid up for a week with symptoms.
The PM is likely to have had checks including lung imaging, tests on his liver and kidneys and an electro-cardiogram to check his heart.
Foreign Office minister James Duddridge said: ‘Take care boss. Get well. Come back fighting. But for now rest, look after yourself and let the others do the heavy lift.’
Last night, Mr Raab said Mr Johnson was in excellent hands with an ‘incredible team spirit’ behind him.