Coronavirus: UK Prime Minister Moved to Intensive Care

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain has been moved to intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital as his coronavirus condition deteriorated over the course of the day. 

Mr Johnson was admitted to the hospital on Sunday for further tests due to persistent symptoms, but his condition took a turn for the worse. The decision to move him came as a precaution should he require ventilation to assist his recovery.

“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,” a Downing Street spokesman said. 

Boris tested positive for the coronavirus ten days ago, describing a cough and a fever as his symptoms in a video posted on Twitter. 

The Prime Minister’s secretary of state for health, Matt Hancock, also reported that he had contracted the illness; the UK’s chief medical officer Chriss Whitty, together with Johnson’s pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, said they chose to self-isolate due to suspicious symptoms. 

Commenting on Johnson’s health, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Linsay Hoyle, said: “This is terrible news. I know the thoughts and prayers of everyone across the House are with the Prime Minister and his family. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, the number of registered coronavirus cases has climbed to 350,000 in the US, with over 10,000 persons dead. 

Globally, the death toll from the new pathogen has passed 73,000, with the overall number of infections rising above 1.3 million.

By Elene Dzebisashvili