British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent the night in a hospital for additional tests after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 more than a week ago.
The prime minister’s office stressed that he had been admitted to an undisclosed London hospital on Sunday as a “precautionary step” at the advice of his doctor, and not due to any emergency, following his self-isolation after he tested positive for the coronavirus 10 days ago, according to the Associated Press.
President Donald Trump wished Johnson well in his “personal fight” with the illness on Sunday.
“I want to express our nation’s well wishes to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he wages his own, personal fight with the virus,” Trump said of the 55-year-old prime minister during his White House briefing on the coronavirus. “All Americans are praying for him; he’s a friend of mine and a great gentleman.”
I join President Trump & all Americans in wishing PM Boris Johnson a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/WDq6yThoKa
— Ambassador Johnson (@USAmbUK) April 6, 2020
Johnson, who has been quarantined in his Downing St. residence since he was diagnosed, was reportedly going to undergo more tests but was still in charge of the government, although Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was set to lead the COVID taskforce meeting on Monday. As First Secretary of State, Raab would step in as acting leader if Johnson was not able to perform his duties.
Johnson’s fiancée Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant with their first child, also revealed that she had coronavirus symptoms for a week, though she was not tested, and was now “on the mend.”
The prime minister revealed that he was feeling better in a video message on Friday, but said he still had a temperature.
Another quick update from me on our campaign against #coronavirus.
You are saving lives by staying at home, so I urge you to stick with it this weekend, even if we do have some fine weather.#StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/4GHmJhxXQ0
— Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) April 3, 2020
The announcement of Johnson’s hospitalization came soon after Queen Elizabeth II addressed the nation in a rare televised message, assuring the people that “we will overcome” the global pandemic which has infected more than 48,000 in the U.K.
“The Prime Minister thanks [National Health Service] staff for all of their incredible hard work and urges the public to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives,” Johnson’s office said.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who also tested positive for coronavirus last week but is now out of self-isolation, told Sky News’ “Sophy Ridge On Sunday” show that Johnson was “okay.”
“He’s okay, I’ve been talking to him every day, often several times a day,” he said.
“It shows this virus affects different people differently,” Hancock added.”I was lucky, I had two pretty rough days and then I bounced back and some people do get it pretty mildly, and then for others it’s very, very serious and the prime minister is not at that end of the spectrum.”
Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, told BBC Breakfast: “We all hope and expect that he can get back to No 10 very soon.”
Before Johnson’s hospitalization, his office had asserted that his health had not seriously deteriorated and Jenrick noted that the prime minister would keep working regardless.
“He has worked phenomenally hard, as have many people across the country. This has been a uniquely intense period and I know for him personally it will be very frustrating that he has had to go to hospital to have these tests,” Jenrick told BBC Radio 4’s “Today” show.
“He will want to be back in No 10 leading from the front, which is his way. But he remains in charge of the government; he will be updated regularly in hospital, as he has been as he’s self-isolating,” he added.
Johnson was showered with well wishes from many UK politicians and others, though critics found the news an occasion to bash the prime minister. British journalist Piers Morgan, among many other voices, shut them down.
If you’re not rooting for our Prime Minister tonight & willing him to make a speedy recovery, then you’re a despicable human being.
He is very ill with a deadly virus & his pregnant partner has also been sick. Incredibly worrying time for them & the country. Come on Boris 👊 pic.twitter.com/hQjZtgFGUz— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 5, 2020
Get well soon @BorisJohnson. The whole country wants you to return to full health as soon as possible. https://t.co/LvvRBMDJVd
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) April 5, 2020
Wishing @BorisJohnson a speedy recovery. You’re showing tremendous leadership and putting your all into this. I know you are in good hands with the NHS. #GetWellSoon
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) April 6, 2020
Wishing the PM all the best and a speedy recovery. https://t.co/TFQoWEyUvR
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 5, 2020
Wishing @BorisJohnson a short stay in hospital.
A wit, a gent and a fighter 💪We are with you.#BackBoris
— Orthodox Conservatives (@OrthodoxConsGrp) April 5, 2020
Hoping Boris Johnson makes a speedy recovery in hospital. #BorisJohnsonCoronavirus pic.twitter.com/kiUsLFCNBX
— Tony (@TBMAVFC) April 5, 2020
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