Donald Trump has joined world leaders sending messages of support to his “great friend” Boris Johnson, who has been moved in to intensive care with coronavirus.
Hundreds of well-wishers have spoken out to send their best to the UK Prime Minister, including his Conservative colleagues, opposition MPs, world leaders and other official figures.
US President Trump was among them, telling a White House press briefing on Monday night: “I want to send best wishes to a great friend of mine, and a great friend of our nation, Boris Johnson.
“We are very saddened to hear that he was taken into intensive car this afternoon, a little while ago. Americans are all praying for him. He’s been a really good friend.”
“He's very strong, resolute. Doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up.”
He added: ”When you get brought into intensive care, that gets very, very serious with this particular disease."
French President Emmanuel Macron also wished Mr Johnson well.
Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron also sent a message of support to Mr Johnson.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will “deputise where necessary” while he is in intensive care, a No 10 spokesman said.
The news came just a few hours after Mr Raab told a press briefing that the PM remained in charge of the Government despite remaining under observation.
Mr Raab later said there was an "incredibly strong team spirit behind" Mr Johnson and that ministers were determined to carry out his “direction".
"The Government's business will continue," he said.
"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."
He added: "There's an incredibly strong team spirit behind the Prime Minister, and making sure that we get all of the plans the Prime Minister's instructed us to deliver, to get them implemented as soon as possible.
The Conservative Party leader is understood to be conscious and has been moved to the ICU at about 7pm as a precaution should he require ventilation to aid his recovery.
Two uniformed police officers were stationed at the entrance to the hospital on Monday evening.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, Mr Johnson had tweeted: "Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I'm still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. I'm in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe."
Mr Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds previously said she had been suffering Covid-19 symptoms, but is "on the mend". Ms Symonds, who is expecting the couple's first baby in early summer, said she was not tested for the virus.
Listen to The Leader: Coronavirus Daily podcast
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is already back at work after having tested positive for coronavirus.
And Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty returned to work on Monday after developing symptoms while the PM's chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, has also self isolated.
