Boris Johnson to recuperate at Chequers as he is discharged from hospital after coronavirus treatment
Boris Johnson has been discharged from St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
2 min read
Boris Johnson will “continue his recovery” at his official country residence after being discharged from hospital, Downing Street has announced.
A Number 10 spokesperson confirmed the move, which comes two days after the Prime Minister was taken off of intensive care at London’s St Thomas’s hospital, where he had been treated for worsening coronavirus symptoms.
His fiancée Carrie Symonds meanwhile said Mr Johnson had faced a “very dark” time as she paid tribute to “magnificent” NHS staff.
Downing Street said: “The PM has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery, at Chequers.
“On the advice of his medical team, the PM 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.”
Chequers, located in Buckinghamshire, is the official country house of the Prime Minister, and the move means the Prime Minister will be far removed from the Government’s base in Whitehall.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been deputising for the PM in his absence, and has chaired daily meetings of the Covid-19 committee leading the response to the outbreak.
Mr Johnson was first admitted to St Thomas’s hospital last weekend after struggling to shake off the virus, and was placed in intensive care after his condition worsened.
According to The Sunday Telegraph, friends of the Prime Minister said he had come close to death while battling the illness, with the situation so grave that Cabinet ministers and aides prayed for his recovery.
He was moved from the intensive care unit on Thursday night and placed on a ward.
Responding to news of the PM’s discharge from hospital, his fiancée Ms Symonds, who is carrying the couple’s first child, said: “I cannot thank our magnificent NHS enough. The staff at St Thomas’ Hospital have been incredible. I will never, ever be able to repay you and I will never stop thanking you.”
She added: “There were times last week that were very dark indeed. My heart goes out to all those in similar situations, worried sick about their loved ones.”
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