United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to the intensive care unit at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, the day after being admitted to the hospital with COVID-19.
Johnson's condition worsened on Monday afternoon, a spokesman for 10 Downing Street told Newsweek. On the advice of his medical team, he was moved to the ICU on Monday evening, according to the spokesman. He first announced his positive test result on March 27.
"The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication," the spokesman said.
He's conscious at this time and the move to the ICU was done as a precaution in the event Johnson should need ventilation to help him recover.
Johnson was admitted to the hospital on Sunday evening for tests, according to 10 Downing Street. The statement called it a "precautionary step" taken because Johnson continued to have symptoms of the new coronavirus 10 days after he tested positive.
Before being moved to the hospital, Johnson had been self-isolating at home with a fever and persistent cough. He continued to lead the government's response to the outbreak, but before being admitted to the ICU, he tapped Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for that role. Raab will take over for Johnson wherever necessary, the 10 Downing Street spokesman said.
On Monday, Raab said during a press conference that Johnson had a "comfortable" night in the hospital and was in "good spirits."
On Sunday, Queen Elizabeth II thanked health care workers and everyone who was staying home to protect people who were part of the vulnerable population. By remaining "united and resolute," the queen said, the nation will overcome the outbreak.
"While we have faced challenges before, this one is different," the queen said. "This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavor using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed and that success will belong to every one of us."
Her son, Prince Charles, who is also the heir to the throne, tested positive for the virus, but ended his self-isolation on March 30, according to BBC News.
The United Kingdom has had 51,608 cases of a new coronavirus, about 14 percent the amount the United States has seen. Of the U.K. cases, 17,911 have been hospitalized, according to Raab, and 5,373 have died. On Sunday, Trump sent well wishes to Johnson, who he described as a friend and a "great gentleman."
"I'm hopeful and sure that he's going to be fine," Trump said. "All Americans are praying for him."
