Coronavirus | Prime Minister Johnson spent night in ICU, not on ventilator, clarifies UK government
The HinduBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent the night in the intensive care unit of a London hospital with the new coronavirus, but is not on a ventilator, a senior government minister said Tuesday, as pressure grew on the government to release more details of Mr. Johnson’s condition. Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said Mr. Johnson is being given oxygen but “the Prime Minister is not on a ventilator.” Mr. Gove said Mr. Johnson is “receiving the very, very best care from the team at St. Thomas’ and our hopes and prayers are with him and with his family.” “We’re desperately hoping that Mr. Boris can make the speediest possible recovery,” said Mr. Gove, who is in isolation at home after a family member showed mild coronavirus symptoms. He said Mr. Johnson asked him “to deputize for him where needed in driving forward the government’s plans to defeat coronavirus.” The deterioration of Mr. Johnson’s health took many in Britain by surprise. Mr. Johnson’s former communications director, Will Walden, said the Prime Minister tended to try to soldier on through illness rather than taking a break.