Boris Johnson discharged from hospital seven days after being admitted for coronavirus symptoms

PM's fiancee Carrie Symonds expresses delight after 'very dark' times

Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital after seven days and will continue to recuperate from coronavirus at his country retreat.

The prime minister will not return to work immediately following advice from his doctors, Downing Street said. He will instead focus on his recovery at Chequers.

In an emotional video message, Mr Johnson said the NHS “saved my life, no question” and singled out two nurses for praise who were at his bedside when “things could have gone either way”.

He said it was “hard to find the words to express my debt” to the medics who saved him but paid tribute to Jenny, a nurse from New Zealand, and Luis, from Portugal, who stood vigil for 48 hours to ensure he pulled through.

Mr Johnson said: “The reason my body started to get enough oxygen was because for every second of the night they were watching and they were thinking and they were caring and making the interventions I needed.

“So that is how I also know that across this country, 24 hours a day, for every second of every hour, there are hundreds of thousands of NHS staff who are acting with the same care and thought and precision as Jenny and Luis.”

Mr Johnson praised the public for forming a “human shield” around the NHS by following government advice to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus.

He said coronavirus could be beaten by the strength of the health service, saying: “It is the best of this country. It is unconquerable. It is powered by love.”

A No 10 spokesman said: “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.

(REUTERS (REUTERS)

“All of his thoughts are with those affected by this illness.”

Several vehicles, including police vans, were seen leaving St Thomas’ Hospital shortly after the news was announced.

Mr Johnson’s fiancee Carrie Symonds said she “cannot thank our magnificent NHS enough” and expressed delight at the news after ”very dark” moments as the PM battled the virus.

Ms Symonds, who is pregnant and also contracted Covid-19, said: “I cannot thank our magnificent NHS enough. The staff at St Thomas’ Hospital have been incredible. I will never, ever be able to repay you and I will never stop thanking you.

“There were times last week that were very dark indeed. My heart goes out to all those in similar situations, worried sick about their loved ones.

“Thank you also to everyone who sent such kind messages of support. Today I’m feeling incredibly lucky.”

Mr Johnson first tested positive for the virus on 27 March but he continued to lead the government’s response to the crisis while self-isolating in his No 11 flat.

However, his symptoms persisted over the following days, prompting the prime minister to be rushed to St Thomas’ Hospital in London last Sunday.

He was moved into intensive care on Monday following after his condition deteriorated, where he was given standard oxygen treatment but never required a ventilator.

After a tense three days, Mr Johnson was moved from the ICU onto a hospital ward on Thursday, where he was said to be in “excellent spirits”.

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, was asked to deputise for him when he was admitted to hospital.