Johnson able to do ‘short walks’ during recovery
Boris Johnson is likely to feel as if he has been “hit by several buses” and will need time to recover from Covid-19, an expert has suggested.
Dr Chris Smith, from the University of Cambridge, said a stay in intensive care left a patient “weak and exhausted” as Downing Street yesterday confirmed the Prime Minister had been able to do “short walks” between periods of rest as part of his care to aid his recovery.
Mr Johnson is back on a ward at St Thomas’ Hospital after being discharged from the intensive care unit where he was being treated for Covid-19.
“The Prime Minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest, as part of the care he is receiving to aid his recovery,” a No 10 spokesman said.
“He has spoken to his doctors and thanks the whole clinical team for the incredible care he has received.
“His thoughts are with those affected by this terrible disease.” Dr Smith, who is also presenter of the Naked Scientists podcast, said when the Prime Minister was fit enough to be discharged from hospital, it was likely he would do so with instructions to take it easy for several weeks.
The comments came as Mr Johnson’s father Stanley said his son “almost took one for the team” and wouls need a period of rest before he could “pick up the reins” at Number 10.
The Prime Minister has returned to a ward at St Thomas’ Hospital in London after spending three nights in intensive care being treated for symptoms of the coronavirus.
Mr Johnson was again said to be in “very good spirits” after being discharged from the ICU, Downing Street has said.
Dr Smith said Mr Johnson was likely to be feeling “like he’s been hit by several buses”.
“Being severely unwell and sufficiently ill to warrant ITU admission really takes it out of you and leaves people weak and exhausted for a significant period of time afterwards,” he said.
However, as the PM is younger, was in good health and had not needed to be put on a ventilator “he is likely to be able to bounce back more quickly”, Dr Smith said.
He said: “It’ll still be a few weeks before he’s feeling like his old self though.”
Doctors and nurses will be aiming to get Mr Johnson home as soon as possible, Dr Smith said.
“To make this decision they’ll monitor respiratory function [and other vital signs] and, if he’s stable and continuing to improve and not oxygen-dependent, including at night, then he’ll go home with instructions to take it easy for – at least – several weeks to recover,” he suggested.
Mr Johnson’s father yesterday said the whole family was “amazingly grateful” for the efforts of the NHS and for the huge outpouring of support for his son. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme his son’s illness had underlined the seriousness of the pandemic.
“To use that American expression, he almost took one for the team,” Mr Johnson Senior said. “We have got to make sure we play the game properly now.” He went on: “He must rest up. As I understand it, he has moved from the ICU into a recovery unit, but I don’t think you can say this is out of the woods now.”