Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital but won’t immediately return to work as he continues to recover from coronavirus, Downing Street has said.
The prime minister will recuperate at Chequers, his official country retreat in Buckinghamshire, after spending almost a week at St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.
Mr Johnson was first admitted to hospital last Sunday night for tests. The action was taken due to the prime minister’s coronavirus symptoms persisting for more than a week after he was first found to have contracted COVID-19.
He was moved into intensive care when his health detriorated on Monday afternoon and he remained in critical care until Thursday, during which time he was supported with oxygen.
In his absence, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been deputising for Mr Johnson an arrangement that is likely to continue after the prime minister was advised not to make an immediate return to work.
A Number 10 spokesman said on Sunday afternoon: The prime minister has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery at Chequers.
On the advice of his medical team, the prime minister will not be immediately returning to work. He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas’ for the brilliant care he has received. All of his thoughts are with those affected by this illness.