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,
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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.
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
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Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
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A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
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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
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
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A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
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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
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A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
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8/29
Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
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9/29
A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
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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
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12/29
A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
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Communities have been coming together in a time of need
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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
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A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
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25/29
Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
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26/29
Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
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27/29
Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
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28/29
A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
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29/29
A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
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!!!”
