Prime Minister Boris Johnson, hospitalized on Sunday April 5 for further tests, infected with coronavirus, was transferred to intensive care on Monday April 6, his spokesman said.

"During the afternoon, the Prime Minister's state of health deteriorated and, on the advice of his medical team, he was transferred to the intensive care unit of the hospital," said the spokesperson. "The Prime Minister asked Foreign Minister Dominic Raab (...) to replace him where necessary," he added in a statement.

Earlier today, his Minister of Housing said that the Conservative leader "[remains] in charge" of the government.

"He is in hospital for tests, but he will continue to be kept informed and in control of the government," Robert Jenrick, Minister of Housing and Housing, told the BBC today of the Communities.

After being diagnosed ten days ago, 55-year-old Boris Johnson, the most eminent leader to have been infected with the virus, was hospitalized on Sunday evening for further tests, his services said, adding that he was a "precautionary measure".

"Persistent symptoms for ten days"

"The Prime Minister has had persistent symptoms for ten days," said Robert Jenrick. "He spent the night in the hospital [...] we hope that as a result of his tests he will be able to return to Downing Street as soon as possible," added the minister.

Boris Johnson was taken to London's St Thomas hospital near Westminster and placed on oxygen, according to The Times.

Robert Jenrick says the situation must be "very frustrating" for Boris Johnson, who continued to lead the government's response from his apartment in Downing Street. In quarantine, the leader posted video messages on his Twitter account, in which he appeared tired and encouraged his compatriots to stay at home.

Her partner Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant, said that she too suffered from symptoms of the disease for a week, but is on the mend.

According to the Guardian, "Johnson was more seriously ill than he or his officials were prepared to admit, and was seen by doctors worried about his breathing."

The Covid-19 has already killed almost 5,000 people in the UK. In a rare speech, Queen Elisabeth II spoke directly to the British on Sunday evening to encourage them to collective resilience and instill in them a message of hope.

With AFP

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