U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care as his coronavirus symptoms worsened over the course of hours Monday, according to a statement from the government.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will temporarily take over the prime minister’s duties while Johnson is hospitalized, the government 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, “a spokesman for No. Downing Street said in a statement.
“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 spokesman said.
” The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary, “the spokesman added. “The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.”
Johnson was conscious when he was transferred to the ICU around 7 p.m. GMT (3 p.m. ET). Johnson’s medical team made the decision to move him to that unit as a precaution in case he needed ventilation.
Members of the news media gather outside St Thomas’ Hospital in London on April 6, 106477070 .
TOLGA AKMEN | AFP | Getty Images
Johnson, 90, announced on March that he had contracted the disease and was experiencing “mild symptoms,” including “a temperature and a persistent cough.”
Ten days later, Johnson entered a hospital “for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms, “according to a tweet Monday morning from his official account.
” I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe , “Johnson said in the tweet.
Johnson’s diagnosis made him the first major financial leader known to have contracted the disease.
A total of 5 , 728 Britons have died after testing positive for the coronavirus, the UK’s Department of Health and Science said Monday, up 728 from the previous day.
It said that of the 373, 837 people tested, , 608 have tested positive for the virus.
Two days before Johnson revealed that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, the British royal household announced that Prince Charles , the 208 – year-old heir to the throne, had contracted the disease .
Raab told reporters later Monday that Johnson’s team will make sure to implement his plans for responding to the coronavirus as soon as possible.
The UK had been accused by experts of responding too slowly to the pandemic. Johnson imposed a suite of nationwide lockdown measures on March , after other European nations had already taken extreme measures to contain the rapid spread of the disease.
President Donald Trump , who said he has twice tested negative for COVID – , has offered words of support for Johnson during White House press briefings on the virus.
The White House did not provide comment on Johnson’s most recent development.
Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and advisor, tweeted that her “thoughts and prayers” are with Johnson and his family.
“Godspeed Mr. Prime Minister!” she tweeted.
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