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Boris Johnson stable in hospital and not ventilator

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is "in good spirits" after spending the night in intensive care being treated for coronavirus, No 10 has said.

A spokesman said Mr Johnson, 55, was stable overnight and is being given oxygen and is not on a ventilator.

It comes as Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove became the latest politician to self-isolate after a family member showed symptoms.

Mr Gove said he did not have symptoms and will continue working at home.

Mr Johnson was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in central London with "persistent symptoms" of Covid-19 on Sunday and was moved to intensive care on Monday at 19:00 BST after his symptoms worsened.

In a statement on Tuesday, a Downing Street spokesman 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 assistance.

"He has not required mechanical ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support."

A ventilator takes over the body's breathing process when disease has caused the lungs to fail.

Mr Johnson does not have pneumonia, Downing Street added.

The spokesman said that the mood in government is "determined", and ministers have a very clear plan set out by Mr Johnson for responding to the pandemic.

The Queen will continue to be kept regularly informed about Mr Johnson's condition and his weekly audiences with her will not go ahead, the spokesman added.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Gove pledged that if there is any change in his condition "No 10 will ensure the country is updated".

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is deputising for the PM and chaired the government's daily coronavirus meeting on Tuesday.

As first secretary of state, Mr Raab is the minister designated to stand in for Mr Johnson if he is unwell and unable to work.

Mr Raab said earlier there was an "incredibly strong team spirit" behind the prime minister and that he and his colleagues were making sure they implemented plans that Mr Johnson had instructed them to deliver "as soon as possible".

Boris Johnson
Mr Raab arrived at No 10 for his first job to lead the government's daily virus meeting
A policeman outside St.Thomas" Hospital in London, Britain, 07 April, 2020. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being treated for Coronavirus at St. Thomas" Hospital, and was moved to the Intensive Care Unit after his condition worsened
Mr Johnson is the first major world leader to have announced he had the virus

Some politicians have called for greater clarity on what Mr Raab's role as deputy entails, including Tory MP Tobias Ellwood who asked for details "as to where responsibility for UK national security decisions now lies".

Lord Heseltine, who served as deputy prime minister under John Major, said it will be a "very difficult personal position" for Mr Raab, who "will be tested by the loneliness of the job".

"He will be surrounded by lots of people who know what Boris Johnson said, believe Boris will be quickly back and have their own personal agendas anyway," he said.

Mr Gove is the latest cabinet minister to self-isolate, after Mr Johnson, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Scottish secretary Alister Jack.

The government's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty and the PM's adviser Dominic Cummings also spent time self-isolating after showing symptoms.

Meanwhile, world leaders and fellow politicians have sent messages to Mr Johnson wishing him well.

Newly-elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described it as "terribly sad news", adding: "All the country's thoughts are with the prime minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time."

Meanwhile, Russia's Vladimir Putin wished Mr Johnson a speedy recovery, saying he was "convinced that your energy, optimism and sense of humour will help you overcome the disease".

US President Donald Trump said Americans "are all praying for his recovery", describing Boris Johnson as "a very good friend of mine and a friend to our nation" who is "strong" and "doesn't give up".

It comes as the number of coronavirus hospital deaths in the UK reached 5,373 - an increase of 439 in a day.

The Department of Health and Social Care said there were now 51,608 confirmed coronavirus cases.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.