U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been taken to the intensive care unit of St. Thomas Hospital in London due to increasingly severe coronavirus symptoms.
Johnson was admitted to the hospital on Sunday for what Downing Street called “routine tests” because his condition had not improved ten days after he tested positive for the virus.
His condition has since “worsened,” according to a statement, and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will step into his place “where necessary.”
- Johnson remains conscious at this time and was moved to the ICU as a precaution in case a ventilator is needed, according to Downing Street.
Full statement:
“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 deputize for him where necessary. The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks to all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.”
— Downing Street
