Boris Johnson, was on Tuesday, April 7, in stable condition in an intensive care unit of a London hospital, where he needed an oxygen supply because of the deterioration of his state of health caused by its contamination with coronavirus.

The Prime Minister's personal battle against the Covid-19 comes at a time when experts say the UK is likely to have its deadliest week since the start of the pandemic, which has already claimed more than 6 000 dead in the country.

"I am convinced that he will get away with it because if there is one thing I know about the Prime Minister, it is that he is a fighter and that he will very quickly return to the bar for us lead during this crisis, "Foreign Minister Dominic Raab, appointed by Boris Johnson to act in the interim, said on Tuesday at a press conference.

His hospitalization "shocked us all," he added. "He is not only our boss, he is also a colleague and a friend."

The 55-year-old Prime Minister was admitted Sunday evening to St Thomas Hospital, which faces the Houses of Parliament in Westminster on the other bank of the Thames in central London, after more than 10 days of high fever and persistent cough due to coronavirus.

Precautionary measure

His condition quickly deteriorated over the next 24 hours, which resulted in his placement on Monday in an intensive care unit where the most serious cases are treated.

Although he received an oxygen supply, his services said that the transfer was a precautionary measure in case the Prime Minister needed to be placed on artificial respiration. Boris Johnson remains conscious.

"The Prime Minister's condition has remained stable between yesterday and today and he remains in a good mood. He receives standard oxygen treatment and breathes without any other assistance. He did not need respiratory assistance mechanical or non-invasive respiratory assistance, "said his spokesman, whose name is not traditionally mentioned.

For her part, Queen Elizabeth sent her wishes for "speedy and complete recovery" to Boris Johnson and said that his thoughts also accompanied his family and pregnant partner Carrie Symonds, Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday.

Triumphing in the December legislative elections with the promise to implement Brexit, Boris Johnson was criticized in this unprecedented crisis for having delayed taking action, long reluctant to adopt containment measures. He himself taunted the virus in early March, boasting of having "shaken hands with everyone", including Covid-19 patients during a hospital visit.

Now sick in turn, he has received messages of support from around the world, from the prayers of Donald Trump to the wishes of Vladimir Putin, who said he was "certain" that "the energy, optimism and sense of l the British leader’s “humor” would help him recover.

Dominic Raab takes control

In the United Kingdom, there is no formally established succession plan in the event that a Prime Minister is unable to exercise his functions. Boris Johnson, who tested positive on March 26, asked Dominic Raab to represent him everywhere "where necessary", his services said.

The 46-year-old Foreign Office secretary chaired Tuesday at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the head of government in London, a government crisis meeting on the Covid-19.

Doubts remain, however, as to the real holder of power in the United Kingdom at this time, and the ministers refused to say who had the final decision, at the moment, on the use of nuclear weapons, a prerogative of the Prime Minister. minister.

Dominic Raab, a fervent supporter of Brexit like Boris Johnson, takes the reins of the government anyway at a crucial moment in the United Kingdom in the fight against the pandemic which is paralyzing the planet.

The health minister said last week that the peak of deaths in the country should be reached around next Sunday, Easter Sunday.

The government is also expected to examine early next week a possible extension of the confinement imposed on the British population in an attempt to stem the epidemic.

"I have total confidence in the arrangements put in place by the Prime Minister so that I can discharge him from part of his responsibilities, replace him when he is unable to act, and Obviously, we hope it will only last for a very limited time, "said Dominic Raab on Tuesday at his press conference.

He added that the decisions are taken collectively by key government ministers, who have "very clear directions and instructions" from Boris Johnson, and are working to implement them.

With AFP and Reuters

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