Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved into intensive care after coronavirus symptoms worsen

Downing Street said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would "deputise where necessary" while the Prime Minister was in intensive care with Covid-19.

A Number 10 spokesman said: "Since Sunday evening, the Prime Minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas' Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.

"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 news comes after England's chief medical officer said it was a "mistake" to discuss the UK's exit strategy from coronavirus lockdown because the number of cases has not yet reached its peak,

Professor Chris Whitty, speaking at the daily Downing Street press briefing, said: "The key thing is to get to the point where we are confident we have reached the peak and this is now beyond the peak, and at that point I think it is possible to have a serious discussion about all the things we need to do step-by-step to move to the next phase of managing this.”

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