Boris Johnson remains in intensive care but is “improving” and “sitting up in bed” engaging with doctors, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said.
The prime minister was moved into intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital in London on Monday night – more than a week after he tested positive for coronavirus – when his health deteriorated.
Mr Johnson was initially admitted to hospital for tests on Sunday night after continuing to display COVID-19 symptoms.
Speaking at Downing Street’s daily coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said the prime minister was receiving “excellent care” from his NHS team.
“The latest from the hospital is the prime minister remains in intensive care where his condition is improving,” the chancellor said.
“I can also tell you that he has been sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the clinical team.
Mr Sunak said the prime minister’s situation “reminds us how indiscriminate this disease is”.
Downing Street later said Mr Johnson “continues to make steady progress”, with Number 10 having earlier described the prime minister as remaining in “good spirits” after spending his third night in hospital.
Mr Johnson was responding to treatment and no longer working, his spokesman said.
The prime minister has received oxygen support but is breathing without any other assistance.
