British PM Boris Johnson on oxygen support, not ventilator

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is not on a ventilator but has had some oxygen support, said Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove on Tuesday.

“He’s not on a ventilator no … The prime minister has received some oxygen support and he is kept under, of course, close supervision,” Gove told the London-based LBC radio, adding that if Johnson’s condition changes the government will make an official statement.

Johnson was taken to intensive care on Monday night after his coronavirus symptoms worsened, Downing Street said.

Johnson has asked British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputize for him, a Downing Street spokesman said.

The prime minister, 55, was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital in London with “persistent symptoms” on Sunday night, 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus.

The spokesman said

the prime minister was moved on the advice of his medical team and is receiving “excellent care.”

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COVID-19 death toll exceeds 5,300 in UK, 51,608 cases confirmed

The death toll of those hospitalised in Britain who tested positive for the novel coronavirus reached 5,373 as of Sunday afternoon, a daily increase of 439, the Department of Health and Social Care said Monday.

As of Monday morning, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Britain hit 51,608, up 3,802 in the past 24 hours, said the department.

Source: Xinhua