UK prime minister Boris Johnson has been shifted to ICU a few hours ago after his conditions worsened, 10 Downing Street spokesman has confirmed. The prime minister, who tested positive for coronavirus last month, remains conscious at this time and the decision to move him to ICU is precautionary in case he needs ventilation.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the first secretary of state, to deputise for him where necessary, the statement continued.

boris johnson
Boris Johnsonboris johnson

The official statement from 10 Downing Street:

Since Sunday evening, the prime minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas' Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.

Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital.

The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the first secretary of state, to deputise for him where necessary.

The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."

Boris Johnson tests positive for COVID-19

UK PM announced that he was tested positive for coronavirus on March 27, following which he went into self-isolation as per the advice of his doctor. The British Prime Minister was admitted to hospital for tests on Sunday after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms 10 days after testing positive for the virus, even though he remained in charge of the government.

But the latest development in his health condition and Dominic Raab deputizing the minister marks a serious shift in how things are. Johnson, 55, was the first leader of a major power to announce that he had been infected by coronavirus.

Only weeks before the minister was tested positive for the infection, Johnson had personally met quite a number of people suspected of contracting SARS-CoV-2, and shook hands with them.