Boris Johnson's battle with coronavirus was reportedly so serious that his colleagues were at one point "praying" for his recovery.
Ministers and aides came together to pray for the Prime Minister to get better on Monday night, when he was moved into intensive care at St Thomas' hospital, Mail Online reports.
The paper says Mr Johnson came close to death as he fought against the flu-like virus, which has now claimed the lives of nearly 10,000 people in the UK.
Today, the PM said that he "owes his life" to the doctors and nurses who cared for him after he was rushed to hospital last Sunday.
After spending seven nights at St Thomas' Hospital in London, he told friends: "I cannot thank them (medics) enough".
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He praised the "exemplary" care he is receiving, saying: "I owe them my life."
Earlier today, a spokesperson for the PM said he continues to make "very good progress” as he continues his recovery.
Mr Johnson moved out of intensive care on Thursday night having shaken off the worst of the Covid-19 symptoms.
A Number 10 spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister continues to make very good progress."
It emerged yesterday that he is now able to take 'short walks'.
Number 10 and St Thomas' Hospital said he was now able to leave his hospital bed for the first time since being taken into intensive care on Monday.
He reportedly called heavily pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds as soon as doctors handed him back his phones at the end of his intensive care stay.
The 32-year-old is expecting a child in a matter of weeks with Mr Johnson, who has been separated from her since March 27 when he went into isolation.
She reportedly sent Mr Johnson a love letter to boost his spirits, as well as a scan of their unborn child.
The Conservative leader was taken to hospital on Sunday - 10 days after testing positive - and was moved to intensive care on Monday.
Mr Johnson received "standard oxygen treatment" and was not put on a ventilator, Downing Street said.
Shortly after news broke that Mr Johnson had left intensive care, people across Britain came together for a third time to clap the NHS.
From hospital Mr Johnson's 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.”
Mr Johnson's father Stanley Johnson has said he will need a period of rest after he was moved from the intensive care unit at St Thomas' Hospital.
The news comes as the coronavirus death toll in the UK rises by 917 to 9,875 in 24 hours.
The youngest victim was an 11-year-old child, Public Health England said.
