UK PM Johnson 'stable' in intensive care, Raab
Speaking at the UK's daily update on Tuesday (April 7) Raab confirmed the earlier information coming out of Downing Street that Johnson remained stable overnight and he was breathing without any assistance. He added that the Prime Minister has not required any mechanical ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support.
Johnson's personal battle with the virus has shaken the government just as the United Kingdom, now in its third week of virtual lockdown, enters what scientists say will be the deadliest phase of its coronavirus epidemic, which has already killed at least 6,159 people.
Johnson, 55, was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital, across the River Thames from parliament, late on Sunday after suffering symptoms, including a fever and a cough, for more than 10 days.
But his condition rapidly deteriorated, and he was moved on Monday to an intensive care unit, where the most serious cases are treated, in case he needed to be put on a ventilator.
"He remains in good spirits and ... his progress continues to be monitored in critical care," Raab who is down deputising for Johnson said.
The UK's chief scientific adivsor Patrick Vallance was also present at the briefing where he reported that the UK is currently not seeing acceleration in hospital admissions, but that the social distancing measures must still be adherred to in order to see longer term progress.
