UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in intensive care after coronavirus symptoms worsen

Johnson, 55, announced on March 27 that he had contracted the disease and was experiencing “mild symptoms,” including “a temperature and a persistent cough.”

Ten days later, Johnson entered a hospital “for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms,” according to a tweet Monday morning from his official account.

“I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe,” Johnson said in the tweet.

Johnson’s diagnosis made him the first major governmental leader known to have contracted the disease.

A total of 5,373 Britons have died after testing positive for the coronavirus, the U.K.’s Department of Health and Social Care said Monday, up 439 from the previous day.

It said that of the 208,837 people tested, 51,608 have tested positive for the virus.

Two days before Johnson revealed that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, the British royal household announced that Prince Charles, the 71-year-old heir to the throne, had contracted the disease.

Raab told reporters later Monday that Johnson’s team will make sure to implement his plans for responding to the coronavirus as soon as possible.

The U.K. had been accused by experts of responding too slowly to the pandemic. Johnson imposed a suite of nationwide lockdown measures on March 20, after other European nations had already taken extreme measures to contain the rapid spread of the disease.

President Donald Trump, who said he has twice tested negative for COVID-19, has offered words of support for the prime minister during White House press briefings on the virus.

Trump said of Johnson on Monday afternoon that he was “very saddened to hear that he was taken into intensive care a little while ago.”

“He’s been really something very special,” Trump said. “Strong, resolute, he doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up.”

“But when you get brought into intensive care, that gets very very serious,” Trump added.

Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and advisor, tweeted that her “thoughts and prayers” are with Johnson and his family.

“Godspeed Mr. Prime Minister!” she tweeted.

— CNBC’s Katrina Bishop contributed to this report.

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/06/uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson-in-intensive-care-after-coronavirus-condition-worsened.html