Boris Johnson Is on Oxygen Support and Stable After Night in Intensive Care
SERIOUS SITUATION
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is receiving oxygen support and is in a stable condition in intensive care, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Tuesday afternoon. Johnson was “receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any assistance,” he said, adding that the PM was in “good spirits.” Raab said Johnson’s hospitalization on Monday came “as a shock to all of us. He is not just a prime minister, not just our boss, but also a colleague and also our friend.” Earlier on Tuesday, British government officials confirmed for the first time that Johnson was taking oxygen treatment and had spent the night in ICU following the shock announcement that he was moved there Monday evening after his office spent days downplaying his illness. Government minister Michael Gove told BBC News: “The prime minister’s not on a ventilator. He has received oxygen support.” Britain has no formal succession plan should a prime minister become incapacitated, but Johnson has asked Raab to carry out duties in his place. Johnson announced 11 days ago that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. His symptoms persisted and significantly worsened over the past few days.