THE PRIME Minister has been rushed to an intensive care in hospital after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.

According to a Downing Street spokesperson, Mr Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to be his deputy.

The prime minister, 55, was taken to St Thomas' Hospital in London with "persistent symptoms" on Sunday.

Having been in hospital for tests and observation, his doctors advised that he be admitted to intensive care on Monday evening.
Mr Johnson is understood to be conscious and was moved to intensive care at about 7pm as a precaution should he require ventilation to aid his recovery.

Leader of Winchester City Council, Lib Dem Cllr Lucille Thompson said: "“ I’m sure everyone will be concerned as I was to hear that our Prime Minister had been admitted to hospital with the coronavirus. This is a horrible disease and my thoughts are with him and his family. I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Flick Drummond, Meon Valley MP, has written to the PM.

She said: "He has worked so hard and perhaps he should have rested more, but he has been dedicated to leading the country through this crisis.

"My thoughts are also with his fiancée Carrie and his family. Like so many battling with this virus, it must be difficult for them to know he is ill but they cannot visit. I pay tribute to all the NHS staff working hard in all our hospitals to help save the lives of many people suffering from this horrendous virus."

Winchester MP Steve Brine tweeted: "Just so worried for our PM this evening. Praying for your safe recovery Boris."

He has worked so hard and perhaps he should have rested more, but he has been dedicated to leading the country through this crisis.

My thoughts are also with his fiancée Carrie and his family. Like so many battling with this virus, it must be difficult for them to know he is ill but they cannot visit. I pay tribute to all the NHS staff working hard in all our hospitals to help save the lives of many people suffering from this horrendous virus.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will "deputise where necessary", a Number 10 spokesman said.
A Number 10 spokesman said: "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.
"The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.
"The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said on Monday morning that Mr Johnson had been taken to hospital on the advice of his doctor and as a "precaution", and that it was not an emergency admission.
It 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.
At a press conference less than two hours before the decision was made, Mr Raab told a press briefing that the PM remained in charge of the Government despite remaining under observation.
Earlier in the afternoon, Mr Johnson 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.
"I'd like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain."
At the daily Number 10 news conference on Monday Mr Raab faced repeated questions as to how Mr Johnson could cope with demands of the premiership if he was sick enough to require hospital treatment.
Downing Street, which had previously described his symptoms as "mild", switched to describing them as "persistent".
They included a cough as well as a continuing high temperature, 10 days after he first tested positive for the coronavirus.
Mr Raab said he had last spoken to the PM on Saturday - almost 48 hours before being sent to brief the nation his well-being and efforts to tackle Covid-19.
Meanwhile, the latest official figures showed 5,373 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday - an increase of 439 on the previous day.
Responding to the news, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Terribly sad news. All the country's thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time."
And Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: "My thoughts tonight are with @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds. I know he'll be getting the best care possible and will come out of this even stronger."

More to follow...