Coronavirus: PM ‘clearly on the mend,’ says Hancock

Boris Johnson is “on the mend” after contracting coronavirus however his return to work is a matter for his docs, Well being Secretary Matt Hancock has mentioned.

This week Mr Johnson has spoken to the Queen and US President Donald Trump from Chequers, the PM’s nation home.

President Trump described the prime minister as sounding “able to go”.

Nonetheless, he’s mentioned to not be enterprise official work and No 10 performed down studies that he might return to work on Monday.

Mr Johnson examined optimistic for the virus on 27 March and was later admitted to hospital, spending three nights in intensive care.

Talking after he had been discharged, he mentioned “it might have gone both manner” and thanked the NHS workers who had cared for him.

Overseas Secretary Dominic Raab has been deputising for the prime minister whereas he recuperates.

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Talking to Radio 4’s As we speak programme, Mr Hancock mentioned Mr Johnson was “cheerful and ebullient” however added he “needs to be higher” earlier than returning to work.

And a No 10 supply, responding to press studies he shall be again at work subsequent week, mentioned: “The PM will observe his physician’s recommendation and it’s unhelpful to invest at this stage.”

Requested in regards to the PM’s well being at a White Home briefing on Thursday, Mr Trump mentioned he was “truly stunned” at how “unbelievable” the PM sounded throughout their telephone name.

“He was able to go. I am very stunned to inform you this. He is just like the outdated Boris – great vitality, great drive,” the president mentioned.

Cummings ‘collapsed’

The prime minister’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings has returned to work in Downing Road, after recovering from the illness.

Mr Cummings’ spouse, journalist Mary Wakefield, has described how he collapsed after which could not get off the bed for ten days.

Ms Wakefield mentioned Mr Cummings had rushed house to take care of her when she started exhibiting indicators of the virus.

“He is an especially sort man, no matter individuals assume on the contrary,” she wrote within the The Spectator.

“However 24 hours later, he mentioned ‘I really feel bizarre’ and collapsed.”

She mentioned he was extra badly affected by the illness than her, including: “He lay doggo with a excessive fever and spasms that made the muscle mass lump and twitch in his legs.

“He might breathe, however solely in a restricted, shallow manner.”

Social distancing

She additionally described how their four-year-old son Cedd “administered Ribena with the grim insistence of a Broadmoor nurse” to his father.

Mr Cummings was photographed strolling alongside Downing Road on Friday morning, alongside his assistant Cleo Watson.

Requested why Mr Cummings was not observing the 2 metre social distancing rule, the prime minister’s official spokesman mentioned Downing Road workers endeavoured to observe the steerage wherever potential.

“He’s again in Quantity 10 and dealing at this time,” the spokesman mentioned.

“Everyone in Quantity 10 continues to practise social distancing, which implies staying two metres aside wherever potential”.