Boris Johnson spends night in intensive care with worsened coronavirus symptoms amid outpouring of support

Boris Johnson has been admitted to St Thomas' hospital with the coronavirus (Picture: AP)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spent the night in intensive care while fighting the coronavirus, prompting an outpouring of support from around the world.

Mr Johnson was moved to the critical unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in London on Monday evening after his symptoms of Covid-19 worsened.

He was understood to be conscious when he was moved to intensive care at about 7pm. The move was said to be a precaution should he require ventilation.

After the news emerged, it was announced that the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State Dominic Raab will deputise for the PM and lead the Government's battle against the crisis "where necessary".

Politicians and world leaders from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Mr Johnson, who was first admitted to hospital on Sunday , some 10 days after he tested positive for the virus .

My thoughts are with Prime Minister @BorisJohnson and his family this evening. I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen)

April 6, 2020

In a statement recorded after Mr Johnson’s admission, Mr Raab said: “The Government’s business will continue.

“The Prime Minister is in safe hands with that brilliant team at St Thomas’ Hospital, and the focus of the Government will continue to be on making sure that the Prime Minister’s direction, all the plans for making sure that we can defeat coronavirus and can pull the country through this challenge, will be taken forward.”

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Mr Johnson’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds, previously said she had been suffering Covid-19 symptoms, but is “on the mend”. Ms Symonds, 32, who is expecting the couple’s first baby in early summer, said she was not tested for the virus.