The Prime Minister of uni ted Kingdom, Boris Johnsonhas not been diagnosed with pneumonia and has not needed a ventilator despite being taken to intensive care for coronavirus symptoms, his spokesman said.
Downing Street say Boris Johnson is ‘stable’ and in ‘good spirits’ after a night in the critical unit at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital where he is now receiving ‘standard oxygen therapy’. He was taken in for tests as a precautionary measure on Sunday after developing a cough and a fever, but his condition worsened yesterday afternoon.
Quashing reports that Johnson, 55, had been put on a ventilator and had developed pneumonia as a result of Covid-19 were quashed by a Number 10 spokesman, who said the PM had received ‘non-invasive’ oxygen treatment. He said the PM did not require mechanical ventilation to keep his lungs working.
But Number 10 rejected claims it sought to hide the seriousness of Johnson’s condition.
The Downing Street spokesman told reporters: ‘We have been fully frank with you throughout.
‘We have issued you with regular updates on the Prime Minister’s health.
‘His condition worsened yesterday afternoon. A decision was taken that he needed to be moved to an intensive care unit at around 7pm.
‘We informed you all as soon as was practically possible. We have a commitment to be as transparent as we can be throughout this process.’