Speaking at Wednesday’s daily coronavirus briefing from Downing Street, chancellor Rishi Sunak informed the public that prime minister Boris Johnson’s condition is “improving” after two nights in intensive care.
Johnson was initially admitted to St. Thomas’ Hospital in central London for tests on Sunday, before being moved to the hospital’s intensive care unit on Monday.
The PM's condition had worsened after he had first revealed that he had coronavirus on March 27, in a video message posted on Twitter.
Sunak said that the prime minister is now “sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the clinical team” and has received “excellent care” during his stay.
Sunak added: "The prime minister is not only my colleague and my boss but also my friend and my thoughts are with him and his family.”
The chancellor used Wednesday’s briefing to announce further government measures in support of the charity sector, with £750 million to go toward keeping charities from closure during the lockdown.
After a record UK high of 938 deaths in 24 hours, the UK Covid-19 death toll is now up to 7,097 according to figures from the Department of Health and Social Care.