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It is the second evening that the British are confronted with the shocking news that their head of government who tested positive for Covid-19 is very seriously ill. On Sunday evening, it was initially reported that the 55-year-old had been transferred from his residence on Downing Street to the nearby St. Thomas’ hospital. This is a “precautionary measure” because the symptoms have not subsided even after ten days.
Now Johnson is “on the advice of the doctors” in the intensive care unit. According to the official announcements, Downing Street’s continued effort not to dramatize the situation. But after Monday night’s announcement, it is clear that the prime minister is in a very bad way.
Now there is speculation
An NHS doctor confirmed on Sky TV that the state health care provider only brings patients to this level of care who are very seriously ill.
At the moment there was only speculation as to what the exact reasons might be. As the disease progresses, Covid-19 patients may develop complications such as pneumonia. Premier’s advisors, who were quoted anonymously in the British press, said that despite his diagnosis, Johnson hadn’t allowed himself to recover.
Instead, he tried to get an almost normal work routine out of the quarantine in his residence. Which is a job in normal times that requires gigantic energy. And even more so in a crisis like the current one.
In the evening, a former close employee described Johnson as a “fighter” who could not be stopped so quickly. “When playing rugby, he learned that despite pain, you have to keep going,” said Guto Harri on British television, who worked for Johnson at the London Mayor’s Office for many years. “He’ll do it.”
A few hours before his move, the Prime Minister tweeted on Monday afternoon that he was “in a good mood” and was still in contact with his team. They are working together to fight the virus and protect all citizens.
Shortly before he was sent to the intensive care unit, Johnson called his Secretary of State Dominic Raab and asked him to take over government affairs.
The United Kingdom has no constitution, so there is no constitutional provision to deal with the Prime Minister’s life-threatening illness.
Raab said the UK government will ensure that Johnson’s plans to combat the corona virus are implemented. “The government’s business continues.” Johnson is in “safe hands,” the 46-year-old told journalists.
Wishing you a recovery from abroad
Congratulations came from abroad on Monday evening. Chancellor Angela Merkel wished British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who suffered from Covid-19 lung disease, much strength and a speedy recovery.
They hope that Johnson can leave the hospital soon, government spokesman Steffen Seibert wrote on Twitter.
French President Emmanuel Macron also commented on Johnson on Twitter and wished him an early recovery. Johnson, like the British people, “has all my support at this difficult moment,” said Marcron. He hoped that the British head of government “got over the disease quickly”
US President Donald Trump has shown concern over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s health. “We are very sad to hear that he was (…) taken to the intensive care unit,” Trump said on Monday evening (local time) at a press conference in the White House.
If you were treated for Covid-19 in ICU for lung disease, it would be “very, very serious,” said Trump, expressing his best wishes to Johnson. The head of government is a “very good friend of mine and a friend of our nation”. “The Americans are all praying for his recovery,” Trump said.
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