How is Boris Johnson doing now?
CORONAVIRUS showed us that nobody is immune from catching the virus when the prime minister Boris Johnson became one of its victims in late March.
Since contracting the virus the PM has been out of sight, with many wondering how he is doing and when he will be returning to his duties.
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How is Boris Johnson doing now?
Although Boris Johnson hasn't been seen since leaving hospital, it is believed that he is bouncing back from the infection.
Boris was formally discharged from hospital on Easter Sunday, April 12.
Since his release Boris has been in isolation at Chequers, Buckinghamshire, which is the second home for him and his family.
His recovery is going so well that it is said that he will aim to return to work by the end of May at the latest.
How has Boris Johnson's coronavirus battle unfolded?
- March 27: Mr Johnson announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was self-isolating with “mild symptoms” including a high temperature and persistent cough. Health secretary Matt Hancock was diagnosed with the disease too, while Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, went into isolation after displaying symptoms. The PM's pregnant fiancee, Carrie Symonds, also self-isolated after suffering coronavirus symptoms.
- March 28: One day after revealing that he had contracted the bug, the PM chaired a meeting of the Covid-19 war cabinet, from 11 Downing Street. Working alone, Mr Johnson began holding meetings by video link.
- March 29: Mr Johnson posted a video message, saying: “We are going to do it, we are going to do it together. One thing I think the coronavirus crisis has already proved is that there really is .”
- March 30: He tweeted: "Thank you to the 20,000 former staff coming back to the NHS." But, after chairing another cabinet meeting, sources revealed that during such video calls, he was "coughing and spluttering" his way through them.
- March 31: Still in isolation, Mr Johnson warned the pandemic was "going to get worse before it gets better" in the UK. He urged people to follow social distancing rules to save lives.
- April 1: A clearly poorly PM shared a video on his Twitter account, where he said: "We will beat coronavirus together by staying at home, protecting our NHS and saving lives."
- April 2: Downing Street maintained that Mr Johnson was only suffering "mild symptoms". The PM appeared for the first time in public after his diagnosis, clapping for carers from the step of 11 Downing Street, where he was still self-isolating.
- April 3: He posted an update on Twitter, saying he was continuing to lead the Covid-19 battle from self-isolation, as he still had a high temperature. By comparison, Matt Hancock had returned to Westminster, one week after testing positive to the disease.
- April 4: The Mail on Sunday quoted a source as saying that the PM, "has not been resting enough and is still leading from the front. Obviously that is beginning to slow down his recovery. He needs to go to bed.”
- April 5: Mr Johnson was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital late on Sunday after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms, including a high temperature and a cough, for more than ten days.
- April 6: The Prime Minister was moved to intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened, and he was given oxygen as he was struggling to breathe. Before his transfer, he asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise for him.
- April 7: Mr Johnson remains in St Thomas' ICU but is stable and in good spirit.
- April 8: PM's condition is "improving" and he has been "sitting up in bed".
- April 9: Mr Raab says the PM is making "positive steps forward" in his recovery hours before Boris is moved from ICU.
- April 10: Mr Johnson was sitting up in bed and taking short walks as he continued to recover.
- April 11: Downing Street said the Prime Minister was playing games and watching films as his condition improved.
- April 12: According to reports, Mr Johnson told friends on Saturday night that he "owed NHS medics his life" as he revealed his personal battle to fight Covid-19.
- April 12: Downing Street confirms the PM is discharged from St Thomas' Hospital and will continue his recovery at country residence Chequers.
- April 13: Mr Johnson could be absent for several weeks as Downing Street prepares to allow the Prime Minister to recuperate.
Who treated Boris Johnson at St Thomas' Hospital?
The Prime Minister was admitted to ICU on the night of April 6, after his coronavirus symptoms deteriorated.
He has now been moved from intensive care, after three nights, to another ward at St Thomas'.
Dr Richard Leach, who specialises in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung disease, respiratory disorders and non-invasive ventilation, was guiding his care in ICU, reported the .
The author of several medical books, the consultant has written about acute and critical care as part of a reference series for medical students and junior doctors.
He joined the hospital as a consultant physician in 1994, and was described as a "brilliant doctor" who has "saved thousands of lives".
One colleague raved to the Telegraph: “He's the most knowledgeable respiratory specialist in the country, and he's a straight talker.
“He would find the attention mortifying, but the Prime Minister couldn't be in better hands.”
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS
Who is standing in for Boris while he's in hospital?
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab, 46, is now deputising for the PM.
His additional title of First Secretary of State meant he was second-in-line to take over the Prime Minister's responsibilities.
On April 6, Mr Raab said: "The Prime Minister asked me to deputise for him, where necessary, in driving forward the Government's plans to defeat coronavirus."