Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital for tests after experiencing persistent symptoms of coronavirus ten days after testing positive for the virus.
Number 10 said on Sunday evening that the prime minister was taken to an NHS London hospital as a “precautionary step” on the advice of his doctor. Mr Johnson has been self-isolating in his Downing Street flat since 27 March when he announced he had contracted Covid-19.
It is understood he remains in charge of the government’s efforts to tackle the outbreak of the disease and is in contact with ministerial colleagues and officials.
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Officials insisted it was not an emergency admission to hospital and was considered “sensible” for doctors to see the prime minister given he still has a high temperature.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, however, is likely to chair the daily coronavirus meeting on Monday morning – usually led by the prime minister.
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
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An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
Angela Christofilou
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
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A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
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Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
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A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
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A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
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As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
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A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
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Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
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A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
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A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
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During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
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‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
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Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
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Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
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Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
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Empty streets around Soho
Angela Christofilou
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A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
Angela Christofilou
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Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
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Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
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Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
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A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
Angela Christofilou
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A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
2/29
Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
3/29
An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
Angela Christofilou
4/29
People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
5/29
A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
7/29
A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
8/29
Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
9/29
A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
10/29
A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
11/29
As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
12/29
A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
13/29
Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
14/29
A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
15/29
A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
16/29
During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
17/29
Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
18/29
‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
Angela Christofilou
19/29
Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
21/29
Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
22/29
Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
23/29
Empty streets around Soho
Angela Christofilou
24/29
A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
Angela Christofilou
25/29
Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
Angela Christofilou
26/29
Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
Angela Christofilou
27/29
Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
Angela Christofilou
28/29
A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
Angela Christofilou
29/29
A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
“On the advice of his doctor, the prime minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests,” a Downing Street spokesperson said on Sunday evening.
They added: “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 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.”
Mr Johnson announced ten days ago on social media that he had tested positive for covid-19 and was self-isolating with “mild symptoms” including a high temperature and persistent cough. He has shared several video updates from his Number 11 flat since his diagnosis, and stepped outside to join the nationwide clap for NHS staff on Thursday evening.
In a post on Friday, Mr Johnson revealed he still had “minor” symptoms of the virus and said “in accordance with government advice I must continue my self-isolation”.
No hype, just the advice and analysis you need
“But we’re working clearly the whole time on our programme to defeat the virus,” he added, citing the government’s target to deliver 100,000 covid-19 tests per day by the end of April.
The prime minister also urged the public to stick with the strict orders on social distancing, saying: “This country has made a huge effort, a huge sacrifice, done absolutely brilliantly well in delaying the spread of the virus. Let’s stick with it now.”
On Saturday, his pregnant fiancee, Carrie Symonds, who has been living separately from the prime minister since his diagnosis, said on social media that she had been suffering from coronavirus symptoms.
“I’ve spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of Coronavirus. I haven’t needed to be tested and, after seven days of rest, I feel stronger and I’m on the mend,” she wrote.
She said it was “obviously worrying” being pregnant and potentially having contracted covid-19 but advised anyone in a similar position to read guidance on the virus from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
Pressed on the prime minister’s condition earlier today, the health secretary Matt Hancock, who has recovered after testing positive for coronavirus himself, told Sky News that Mr Johnson still had a temperature, but insisted he has “very much got his hand on the tiller”.
“He’s OK,” he added. “He’s working away inside Downing Street. He’s in good spirits.”
Reacting to Mr Johnson’s admission to hospital, the newly-elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was “wising the prime minister a speedy recovery” – words echoed by leaders across the political spectrum.
Former health secretary and leadership rival Jeremy Hunt added: “Thoughts with Boris Johnson this evening. Whatever political persuasion the whole country is united in wanting our PM to get fit and well as soon as possible”.
It comes as the Department for Health and Social Care announced on Sunday that the UK’s death toll from the virus had increased by 621, including seven healthcare professionals, bringing the total to 4,934.
Earlier on Sunday evening, the Queen also made a rare address to the nation, in which she said if we “remain united and resolute” in the face of the outbreak “we will overcome it”.
The head of state warned the country “may have more still to endure”, but echoed the words of Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynne as she said: “We will meet again.”
