Coronavirus-hit Boris Johnson ‘able to do short walks’ as he recovers in hospital

BORIS Johnson is back on his feet as he recovers from coronavirus in hospital.

The PM is now able to do “short walks” in between resting after being moved out of the intensive care unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster.

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He is said to be in “very good spirits”, waving to NHS staff, and "very thankful for the incredible care he has received".

A No10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest, as part of the care he is receiving to aid his recovery.

“He has spoken to his doctors and thanks the whole clinical team for the incredible care he has received.

“His thoughts are with those affected by this terrible disease.”

The Prime Minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest, as part of the care he is receiving to aid his recovery.

No10 spokesman

His spokesman said: "I am told he was waving his thanks towards the nurses and doctors that he saw as he was being moved from the intensive care unit back to the ward.

"Hopefully it was clear to the staff that he was waving his gratitude."

BACK ON THE WARD

The spokesman said it was too early to say how long the PM would need to remain in hospital.

He added: "The Prime Minister is back on a ward and continuing his recovery which is at an early stage. He continues to be in very good spirits.

"Decisions such as this will be on the advice of his medical team. They have given him brilliant care."

At this evening's government press briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "The Prime Minister's condition continues to improve.

"He wants to personally thank the whole clinical team at St Thomas's for the incredible care he has received.

"His thoughts are with all of those who have been affected by this terrible disease."

He added: "I know our amazing NHS staff have given the PM the best care possible, in the same way they would give every single person in this country the very best care possible.

"One of the things that makes me so proud of this country is it doesn't matter who you are, the NHS is always there to care for you."

He later added: "The PM is recovering and I'm sure the whole nation is delighted to see the news that he's getting better.

"The fact he was so ill demonstrates how serious this disease is

"The good news is the government in his absence, has been functioning very effectively.

"The Foreign Secretary yesterday made clear we don't have enough information yet to make any changes to the social distancing arrangements.

"The PM set out our strategy and we're getting on with the "day-to-day things" while the PM recovers."

REST UP

It comes as Mr Johnson's dad today said the prime minster "almost took one for the team" with coronavirus - and he "isn't out of the woods yet".

Stanley Johnson, 79, praised the NHS for taking care of the PM and added that his son's illness shows just how serious the killer outbreak is.

The PM's father told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "To use that American expression, he almost took one for the team. We have got to make sure we play the game properly now."

He also played down suggestions that his son would now quickly return to work at Downing Street.

He must rest up. As I understand it, he has moved from the ICU into a recovery unit but I don't think you can say this is out of the woods now.

Stanley Johnson

Stanley said: "This is pretty straightforward now. He must rest up. As I understand it, he has moved from the ICU into a recovery unit but I don't think you can say this is out of the woods now.

"He has to take time. I cannot believe you can walk away from this and get straight back to Downing Street and pick up the reins without a period of readjustment."

It comes as the PM was said to be in “extremely good spirits” and back on a normal ward at St Thomas’ in London.

The PM’s progress came as a massive morale boost to the nation as we enter the key Easter period in the fight against coronavirus.

Officials believe the infection rate could peak on Easter Sunday.

But it is critical that Brits observe the lockdown and stay home through 25C (77F) temperatures.

TURN THE TIDE

The Government hopes that would enable the country to turn the tide within three weeks.

Mr Johnson, 55, passed a message back to No 10 from hospital yesterday.

His official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister thanks the NHS for the brilliant care which it is ­providing.

“The claps for carers have provided wonderful, unifying moments for the entire country.

“I’m sure that tonight we will once again see people in their millions paying tribute to our fantastic dedicated care workers.”

 

It also emerged last night that Boris was well enough to make quick calls to his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, 32, and his family.

Doctors handed his two mobile phones back to him.

The birth of his child with Carrie is only weeks away and the couple have been apart since he went into isolation on March 27.

Relieved fiancée Carrie Symonds posted a picture of a rainbow with clapping emojis after the good news, timing it for the 8pm Clap for Carers this evening.

But they held back, after managing to stabilise him with just the use of oxygen.

And two days on, Chancellor Rishi Sunak declared his Downing Street next door neighbour was well enough to sit up in bed.

Donald Trump took to Twitter to pass on his best wishes to the recovering Prime Minister.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said that Boris's vast improvement was "good news" and said he "hoped it was the beginnings of a speedy recovery".

Health Secretary Matt Hancock paid tribute to the NHS as Boris left the ICU.

In a tweet he said: “So good that the Prime Minister is out of intensive care and on the road to recovery. The NHS is there for us all and I know our amazing NHS staff have given him their characteristic world-class care.”

Minutes after the news was announced, US President Donald Trump voiced his delight.

He tweeted to say: “Great News: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has just been moved out of Intensive Care. Get well Boris!!!”

UK politicians from across the divide united to express their relief.

Tory grandee Iain Duncan Smith said: “It really is great news, and is the most wonderful news going into what is likely to be a difficult Easter weekend.

I knew he would pull through, he is a fighter, and the whole country will be smiling and resting easy now that he is OK.

Iain Duncan Smith

“I knew he would pull through, he is a fighter, and the whole country will be smiling and resting easy now that he is OK.

“I would imagine it will be a little while before he’s as strong as before but he can now move on.”

Former Chancellor Sajid Javid simply tweeted: “Thank goodness.”

Trade Secretary Liz Truss added: “Brilliant news PM is out of ICU!”

And Zac Goldsmith, a good pal of his fiancée Carrie, simply said: “Hooray!”

Deputy Speaker and Tory MP Nigel Evans tweeted last night: “Great news Boris — we are all behind you ! Get totally well and back on the job xx”

Labour frontbencher David Lammy said: “Pleased Boris Johnson has been moved out of intensive care.

“The whole country is willing him on to make a full recovery as soon as possible.”

Mr Johnson could be out of action for several weeks.