Boris Johnson given oxygen, spends night in intensive care

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spent the night in intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened and he suffered breathing difficulties.

The prime minister was initially admitted to St Thomas' Hospital on Sunday evening, but his health deteriorated yesterday, Sky News reports.

Sky News political editor Beth Rigby said: "He had to be given oxygen - he was struggling to breathe. The decision was taken at 7pm to move the prime minister to that intensive care unit."

Downing Street said he was suffering from "persistent" symptoms of the new coronavirus infection, including a cough and a high temperature.

The 55-year-old tested positive for the virus, 11 days ago, and his worsening condition is a severe blow to the government.

The Independent in London, reports that it is understood Johnson was moved to an intensive care unit at around 7:00pm on Monday evening, and that cabinet ministers were informed of the deterioration in the prime minister’s condition in a phone call with Sir Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary.

He was initially admitted to hospital on Sunday for tests after being unwell for more than a week.

No 10 said on Sunday that Johnson had been advised to go to hospital because his symptoms, which included a cough and a temperature, were persistent.

In an  announcement just after 8pm last night, a Number 10 spokesman said: "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, Sky News said. "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."-Photo: Sky News