Boris Johnson is breathing without a ventilator and is in “good spirits” while being treated in intensive care for coronavirus symptoms, Downing Street has said.
The prime minister was transferred to the intensive care unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in London on Monday evening as his condition worsened.
On Tuesday afternoon, the PM’s official spokesperson said: “The prime minister has been stable overnight and remains in good spirits. He is receiving standard oxygen treatment and is breathing without any other treatment.
“He has not required mechanical ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support.”
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, is currently standing in for the prime minister.
The pressure on the government was underlined this morning when it emerged that Michael Gove – one of the senior ministers leading the government’s response to the crisis – had been forced to self-isolate after a family member displayed symptoms.
Johnson was admitted to hospital on Sunday evening, 10 days after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
Downing Street said at the time that the move was a “precautionary step” as his symptoms of a cough and high temperature were continuing to persist after 10 days in self-isolation.
Initially he was said to have been continuing to work from his hospital bed and was receiving his ministerial red boxes.
But by 7pm on Monday, the decision was made to transfer him to intensive care so that a ventilator was close at hand if required.
The cabinet was informed shortly afterwards and the move was made public in an announcement by No 10 shortly after 8pm.
Gove this morning said Johnson was receiving the “very, very best care” and insisted that the government machine is continuing to function.