British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken into intensive care on Monday, more than a week after testing positive for COVID-19.
A 10 Downing Street spokesperson told the BBC that before entering the intensive care unit, he had tapped Foreign Minister Dominic Raab to deputise in his place.
The spokesperson said that since being admitted to the hospital on Sunday, Mr. Johnson’s condition had worsened and, “on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit” at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London.
“The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication,” the spokesperson said.
Mr. Johnson was admitted to the hospital on Sunday with persistent symptoms from the virus.
A Downing Street spokesperson at the time called it a “precautionary step,” and said he had continued to work while in the hospital.
The 55-year-old leader had been quarantined in his government residence since being diagnosed with the virus on March 26.
The United Kingdom has reported 52,274 confirmed cases, 5,383 deaths and 284 recoveries from COVID-19, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. Britain has a population of 66.4 million.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.
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