Advertisement

Prime Minister Boris Johnson out of hospital after coronavirus diagnosis

Photo credit: PIPPA FOWLES/DOWNING STREET HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Photo credit: PIPPA FOWLES/DOWNING STREET HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

From Digital Spy

Update – April 12: Prime minister Boris Johnson is out of hospital, where he has been treated for coronavirus (COVID-19).

He was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in central London last Sunday (April 5), spending three nights in intensive care.

"On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work. He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas' for the brilliant care he has received," a Downing Street statement confirmed. "All of his thoughts are with those affected by this illness."

Over 10,000 people have died in hospital in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed on Sunday (April 12).

Number 10 also confirmed that Johnson will continue his recovery at Chequers, the prime minister's country residence.

Johnson also posted a video on Twitter on Sunday in which he said he'd witnessed the "personal courage" of hospital staff, and credited the NHS with saving his life.

Update – April 9: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been released from intensive care after three nights.

Downing Street confirmed on Thursday (April 9) that Johnson had been moved out of the ICU at St Thomas' Hospital by his medical team, but remains hospitalised as he continues treatment for COVID-19.

"[The PM] has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery," a spokesperson said. "He is in extremely good spirits."

He originally tested positive for coronavirus last month.

Photo credit: Ian Vogler-WPA Pool - Getty Images
Photo credit: Ian Vogler-WPA Pool - Getty Images

Related: Boris Johnson's father Stanley causes outrage on This Morning with plans to visit pub amid coronavirus outbreak

Update – April 6: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to an intensive care unit after his COVID-19 symptoms "worsened".

A statement released on Monday night confirmed that "the PM is receiving excellent care", and added that Johnson has deputised Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to stand in for him where necessary.

"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," a spokesperson from No.10 said (via BBC).

"The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary. The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."

The decision to move Johnson into intensive care was made around 7pm on Monday in case he were to need ventilation to aid with his recovery, his representative said.

Photo credit: Leon Neal - Getty Images
Photo credit: Leon Neal - Getty Images

Original – April 5: Boris Johnson has been hospitalised as a precautionary measure after testing positive for coronavirus last month.

This update on the Prime Minister's health was revealed by a Downing Street spokesperson today (April 5), who explained (via BBC): "On the advice of his doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests.

"This is a precautionary step, as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus ten days after testing positive for the virus."

The statement continued: "The Prime Minister thanks NHS 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."

Elsewhere, shortly after Boris came down with COVID-19 symptoms, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care Matt Hancock also confirmed he'd contracted the illness.

Hancock, who has now recovered, said he lost half a stone in body weight while fighting the infection.


The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.


Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.

Looking for more TV recommendations and discussion? Head over to our Facebook Group to see new picks every day, and chat with other readers about what they're watching right now.

You Might Also Like