PM's Condition Worsens

He is moved to intensive care as condition worsens. Fears that Prime Minister may have deadly pneumonia

- Pippa Crerar

Fears were growing for Boris Johnson last night after his coronavirus symptoms got so bad he was moved to intensive care.

There were concerns the PM may have developed deadly pneumonia as he had already been given oxygen support while struggled to shake off the illness he developed 10 days ago.

He was understood to have had breathing difficulties on his ward and doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital in South London took action.

The PM was still conscious when admitted to the ICU but No 10 insiders said he was moved as a precaution should he need a ventilator to aid his recovery.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had been asked to take over running the country if Mr Johnson got too ill.

As the UK coronavirus death toll rose by 439 to 5,373, a No 10 spokesman 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.”

University College London medical imaging expert Professor Derek Hill said Mr Johnson would probably be put on a mechanical ventilator in intensive care.

He added: “It seems clear that the Prime Minister went to hospital because he had difficulty breathing.