UK PM Boris Johnson remains in hospital under observation with persistent coronavirus symptoms

NAOMI CANTON | TNN | Apr 6, 2020, 22:35 IST

LONDON: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained under observation in St Thomas’ Hospital in London on Monday. He had been admitted on Sunday night for tests after displaying persistent symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
The PM was driven to the hospital, which is opposite the House of Commons, by private car on Sunday evening, on the advice of his doctor, around the same time the Queen made a rare televised address to the nation.
A Downing Street official told TOI he spent "a comfortable night" there. She refused to confirm or deny if he had received oxygen treatment. The 55-year-old is expected to remain there for as long as needed.
"He is still in hospital and remains under observation. We are not giving a running commentary on the tests he has had or his condition. Since his Covid-19 symptoms remained persistent ten days after testing positive for the virus, he was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, not an emergency," the spokeswoman told TOI.
Tweeting from his hospital bed on Monday afternoon, Johnson said, "Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. 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."
The PM is leading the UK response to Covid 19. On March 27 he told the nation in a video on Twitter he had tested positive for the virus after displaying symptoms of a persistent cough and a temperature. He has been chairing weekly cabinet meetings and a daily "war cabinet" on the government coronavirus response from self-isolation via videolink since then. Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, chaired Monday’s daily coronavirus meeting. Tuesday’s cabinet meeting has now been postponed.
Were Raab to fall ill, then Chancellor Rishi Sunak would take over. Sunak tweeted: "Wishing the boss @BorisJohnson a speedy recovery. You’re in good hands." The other PIO cabinet ministers, Alok Sharma and Priti Patel, also wished him a speedy recovery.
Downing Street stressed this was not an emergency admission and the decision was taken on the advice of his doctor. A No 10 official said: "It was considered sensible for doctors to see the Prime Minister in person given he has ongoing symptoms. The Prime Minister has had coronavirus for ten days and continues to have persistent symptoms, including a high temperature. For purely precautionary reasons, he went to hospital for tests."
Colleagues said he had been coughing and "looked increasingly rough" during the past week, pointing out he had not taken any rest, trying to emulate his personal hero Winston Churchill. Some questioned whether he could still lead government with a temperature from hospital. But No 10 insisted Johnson remains in charge of the government and is in contact with ministerial colleagues and officials.
The PM’s fiancée, Carrie Symonds, who is several months pregnant, has also been self-isolating, but has not been tested. On April 4 she tweeted: "I’ve spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of coronavirus. After seven days of rest, I feel stronger and I’m on the mend."
Johnson was last seen in public on Thursday at the doorway of No 10 when he joined people around the UK clapping for the key workers on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.
The new Labour leader, Keir Starmer, wished the PM well and a speedy recovery.
US President Donald Trump said: "I am sure he is going to be fine. He is a strong person. I want to express our nation’s well wishes to him. All Americans are praying for him."