British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been taken to intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.
Johnson had been in St Thomas’ Hospital in central London for tests and observation, but his doctors advised he be admitted to intensive care after he experienced breathing difficulties.
The UK prime minister is said to be still conscious, but was moved to an ICU at 7pm on Monday in case he needed a ventilator.
He had been admitted to hospital on Sunday after his coronavirus symptoms persisted for 10 days.
A spokesman for Johnson 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 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.”
It was reported on Monday night that Johnson, 55, experienced breathing difficulties earlier in the day and was given oxygen.
When it became clear that he had to be moved to intensive care, the prime minister told an aide that Raab should deputise for him, according to The Times.
The foreign secretary said the prime minister is in “safe hands” and has been receiving “excellent care”, adding the government was focused on “making sure we can defeat coronavirus”.
The prime minister himself tweeted on Monday lunchtime that he was ‘in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team’.
Other world leaders were also quick to offer messages of support on social media.
French president Emmanuel Macron was the first major leader to send his wishes, tweeting: “All my support to Boris Johnson, his family and the British people at this difficult time. I wish him well.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “Sending my best wishes to Prime Minister @BorisJohnson for a full and speedy recovery. My thoughts are with you and your family right now. Hope to see you back at Number 10 soon.”
Meanwhile, the latest official figures showed 5 373 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday – an increase of 439 on the previous day. – Yahoo! News