Coronavirus: Boris Johnson moved out of intensive care and will be ‘closely monitored’

Prime minister said to be in ‘extremely good spirits’ after move to hospital ward

Boris Johnson has been moved out of intensive care and back on to a hospital ward, Downing Street has said.

The prime minister will be closely monitored by doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital in London in the early stages of his recovery from coronavirus but he is said to be in “extremely good spirits”.

Mr Johnson was admitted to hospital on Sunday with persistent symptoms of Covid-19, before spending three nights in intensive care following a deterioration in his condition on Monday,

A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister 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.

“He is in extremely good spirits.”​

Earlier, No 10 said Mr Johnson “continues to improve” after a “good night” and praised NHS staff for the “brilliant care” the prime minister has received.

Mr Johnson was last seen in public a week ago when, from the steps of Downing Street, he took part in the regular applause for health workers.

He had been heading up the government’s response to the crisis from his No 11 flat after he was diagnosed with coronavirus.

But over the weekend his symptoms persisted, prompting his dramatic admission to hospital on Sunday night – 10 days after he was first diagnosed.

Initially it was described as a “precautionary” measure and on Monday he was said to be issuing instructions and working on his ministerial red boxes from his hospital bed.

But Mr Johnson was then moved to intensive care, where he received standard oxygen treatment but he was never placed on a ventilator, Downing Street said.

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, was asked to act as stand-in prime minister in his absence, chairing a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee in his stead.

The news of the prime minister’s move out of intensive care prompted messages from well-wishers.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, posted on Twitter: “So good that the prime minister is out of intensive care and on the road to recovery.

“The NHS is there for us all and I know our amazing NHS staff have given him their characteristic world-class care.”

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said: “This is good news. I hope it is the beginnings of a speedy recovery.”

And Donald Trump, the US president, tweeted: “Great news: Prime minister Boris Johnson has just been moved out of intensive care. Get well Boris!!!”