Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent Monday night in intensive care at a central London hospital after his coronavirus symptoms became graver.
Downing Street said he was moved to the unit on the advice of his medical team and was receiving “excellent care”.
In a statement, Downing Street said Mr Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise “where necessary”.
The prime minister, 55, was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital with “persistent symptoms” on Sunday evening.
The Queen has been kept informed about Mr Johnson’s health by No 10, according to Buckingham Palace.
BBC reports the Prime Minister was given oxygen late on Monday afternoon, before being taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“He was moved as a precaution so he could be close to a ventilator – which takes over the body’s breathing process, our correspondent said,” BBC reported.
According to a Downing Street statement, 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 the[Monday] 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.” read the statement “The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.”
Mr. Raab who now takes over the reins of the British government will later chair the government’s daily COVID-19. He rallied behind the Prime Minister saying that there was an incredibly strong team spirit behind his boss. He said there was an “incredibly strong team spirit” behind the prime minister.
In his as well as his cabinet colleague’s in-tray is to make sure that they deliver on the plans to combat the virus by set in motion by Johnson as soon as possible.
“That’s the way we’ll bring the whole country through the coronavirus challenge,” he said.
