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Britain’s Johnson Rushed To Intensive Care With Coronavirus

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was rushed to the intensive care unit at a London hospital after his condition worsened in a battle with the new coronavirus, COVID-19. “Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened, and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital,” said his Downing Street office in a statement. “The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputize for him where necessary.”

Johnson became the first government leader known to suffer from the virus after being tested more than ten days ago. He had been staying in self-isolation at his Downing Street apartment, but his condition rapidly deteriorated over the weekend. Johnson, 55, was admitted to hospital on Sunday night and had been undergoing tests after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms, including a high temperature, for more than ten days.

Downing Street had said he was in good spirits and still in charge. However, his condition deteriorated in the early evening. He was moved at about 1800 GMT to an intensive care unit – where the most severe cases are treated – at St Thomas’ hospital in central London.

Medical experts expressed concerns about his situation. Among them, Derek Hill, a professor of medical imaging at University College London (UCL). He told British media there was “no doubt this turn of events means Boris Johnson is extremely sick.”

The setback came as the death toll from the virus jumped in Western Europe and soared past 10,000 in the United States. That took the global toll past 73,000, out of more than 1.32 million confirmed cases, according to official graphics. German Chancellor Angela Merkel reflected concerns on both sides of the Atlantic when saying that the European Union was facing its “biggest test.” US officials said Americans should prepare for an ordeal comparable to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

A surge in reported coronavirus deaths overshadowed reports of a possible turnaround in Europe — where daily virus tolls have been falling. Many people died in both France and Italy on Monday, a record 833 in France, and 636 in Italy. Boris Johnson is the first known government leader to be infected with the virus. Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, was among other high-profile officials suffering from the disease.