UK PM Boris Johnson shifts to ICU as coronavirus symptoms worsen

London : The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after his condition deteriorated due to coronavirus contagion. He has been shifted to the ICU in the St Thomas Hospital in London.

He has been kept in ICU as he would require ventilation to aid his recovery, said official. He was moved to the hospital on Monday after his condition deteriorated. He was tested positive to the coronavirus around 10 days back.

A Downing Street spokesperson said, "Since Sunday evening, the Prime Minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus."

"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."

"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."

Raab said that his focus in the new role will be to ensure "all plans to defeat coronavirus are put in place and pull the country out from the crisis."

"There is an incredibly strong team spirit behind the prime minister and making sure that we get all of the plans that the prime minister has instructed us to deliver... implemented as soon as possible."