[Getty/Kyodo]
LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved out of intensive care Thursday but remains in hospital to continue treatment for the new coronavirus, his office said.
“The Prime Minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery,” a statement from his office said.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputizing for Johnson, said earlier in the day that the prime minister was making “positive steps” under hospital care.
U.S. President Donald Trump immediately tweeted that it is “Great News” that the British prime minister has been moved out of the ICU. “Get well Boris!!!” he added.
Johnson tested positive for the coronavirus on March 27, becoming the first leader among the Group of Seven industrialized countries to be infected with the deadly illness.
The 55-year-old was taken to hospital on Sunday evening after suffering coronavirus symptoms for ten days and moved to an intensive care unit on Monday.
His office said earlier that Johnson was in intensive care as a precaution should he require ventilation as he remained conscious.
Johnson succeeded Theresa May as prime minister last year and led the United Kingdom to leave the European Union early this year.
