Boris Johnson moved to intensive care with Covid-19

LONDON — Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care in hospital on Monday evening, 24 hours after being admitted with Covid-19.

A No. 10 spokesman said the British prime minister's condition had worsened over the course of Monday afternoon and around 7 p.m., local time, he was moved to the intensive care unit at London's St. Thomas' Hospital.

Before he was moved, Johnson asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputize for him "where necessary," Downing Street said in a statement. Officials indicated the prime minister remains conscious and the transfer to the ICU was a precaution should Johnson require a ventilator to aid his breathing.

While the U.K. has no written constitution or codified line of succession, Raab — who was appointed first secretary of state as well as foreign secretary — is recognized as Johnson’s de facto deputy and in the event the prime minister was unable to resume his duties in the longer term, would be likely to serve unless the ruling Conservative Party selected an alternative.

The No. 10 spokesman 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.

"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 is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."

Speaking to the BBC on Monday evening after Johnson’s condition worsened, Raab said the prime minister is “in safe hands” and that Johnson had asked him to “deputize for him where necessary in driving forward the government’s plans to defeat coronavirus.”

Two hours before Johnson, 55, was admitted into intensive care, Raab had said at the daily Downing Street press conference that the prime minister was in "good spirits" and under continued observation. Johnson was said to be continuing to run the country from his hospital bed.

The prime minister was first admitted to hospital on Sunday night for tests, in what Downing Street insisted was a precautionary move. He had displayed coronavirus symptoms, including a temperature and a cough, for 10 days, and was in self-isolation in Downing Street, chairing meetings via videoconference and receiving government papers and meals at his door.

Johnson tweeted from his hospital bed on Monday afternoon: “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.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he is "praying for the prime minister's swift recovery tonight," adding that St. Thomas' Hospital, which lies on the banks of the River Thames opposite Westminster, had "some of the finest medical staff in the world." Chancellor Rishi Sunak said his thoughts are with Johnson and the prime minister's fiancée, Carrie Symonds.

Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, said "all the country’s thoughts are with the prime minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time."

International leaders also wished Johnson well. French President Emmanuel Macron said he wants to "send all my support to Boris Johnson, to his family and to the British people at this difficult moment." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, too, wished Johnson a speedy recovery and sent a "hug" to the British people.

President Donald Trump offered his “best wishes to a very good friend of mine, and a friend to our nation,” adding that “Americans are all praying for his recovery.”

Trump also said during a press briefing on coronavirus that he had been in touch with "leading companies" that have been working on treatment solutions and had "asked them to contact London immediately."

"We will see if we can be of help. We have contacted all of Boris' doctors, and we will see what is going to take place," Trump said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said her thoughts are with the British prime minister and his family and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney tweeted: “Everyone in Ireland is tonight wishing Boris Johnson well.”

Johnson’s predecessor Theresa May said: “My thoughts and prayers are with Boris Johnson and his family as he continues to receive treatment in hospital. This horrific virus does not discriminate.”

Former Prime Minister David Cameron said Johnson is “in great hands.” “We all want you safe, well and back in 10 Downing Street,” he said.

The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also wished the prime minister well.