Boris Johnson is in a 'stable' condition in intensive care and is not being treated with a ventilator
- Boris Johnson is in a "stable" condition and does not currently require mechanical assistance with his breathing, his spokesman said on Tuesday morning.
- The Prime Minister, who was admitted to intensive care on Monday, has received oxygen treatment but is not yet on a ventilator, the spokesman said.
- "He is receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any other assistance," his spokesman said.
- The UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will continue to deputise for the prime minister in his absence.
- Johnson's Cabinet vow to continue to fight "this invisible enemy" while Johnson is treated.
- Here's what we know about Raab, Johnson's "designated survivor."
- What happens if Johnson becomes too ill to remain prime minister.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in a "stable" condition, "in good spirits" and is breathing without mechanical assistance, his spokesman said on Tuesday afternoon.
Johnson, who was admitted to hospital on Sunday with "persistent" symptoms of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, was moved into intensive care at around 7 pm GMT on Monday.
His spokesman said on Tuesday that while he was receiving oxygen treatment, he did not currently require mechanical assistance with his breathing through a ventilator.
"He is receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any other assistance," his spokesman said.
He added: "non-invasive respiratory support has not been required."
His spokesman also confirmed that the prime minister was not suffering from pneumonia.
Johnson's spokesman said that the prime minister was moved into intensive care as a precautionary measure in case he needed ventilation.
The Times of London reported sources inside the hospital suggesting that the prime minister "needed four litres of oxygen in intensive care" but had not yet been intubated - the process by which a tube is inserted into the windpipe prior to ventilation.
The paper reports that "the normal threshold for intensive care is 15 litres, suggesting that he was in better health than such patients generally."
However, the prime minister's spokesman denied that the prime minister was receiving special treatment above more serious cases.
"There is signficant spare capacity in intensive care units in hospitals in London and across the United Kingdom," he said.
Dominic Raab, the UK's foreign secretary, is standing in for Johnson while he is treated.
"The PM sent the message that he wanted the Foreign Secretary to assume some of his responsibilities where appropriate," his spokesman said on Tuesday.
He added that if Raab also became ill, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak would step into deputise for him.
Raab told the BBC that he would deputise for the prime minister "where necessary," adding that "there is an incredibly strong team spirit behind the prime minister
Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill broke the news to the rest of the Cabinet via a video call, Sky News reported.
One minister who was present in the meeting described it as a "truly shocking" moment, according to the Times of London.
The UK's chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove told the BBC that the whole cabinet would lead the country's response to the virus in Johnson's absence.
"We're all working together to implement the plan that the prime minister set out to make sure we can marshall all the resources of government and this country to fight this invisible enemy," Gove said.
Several of Johnson's senior aides are also experiencing symptoms of the virus.
Johnson spent over a week in self-isolation after developing symptoms of COVID-19 before he was taken to the hospital on Sunday for tests.
His condition significantly worsened later in the day, forcing doctors to move him into intensive care.
UK rejects Trump's offer of help with Johnson's treatment.
President Trump told a press briefing on Monday that "Americans are all praying for his recovery," adding that "he's been a very good friend."
He added that his administration had contacted "all of Johnson's doctors" and told them that he had asked two unnamed medical companies who work on treatments for AIDS and Ebola to offer the prime minister support.
Johnson's spokesman rejected the offer on Tuesday, saying "any treatment [the prime minister] receives is a matter for his doctors."
"On this specific point, we are grateful for all of the warm wishes the prime minister has received overnight,
"We're confident the prime minister is receiving the best possible care form the National Health Service. Any treatment he receives is a matter for his doctors."
French President Emmanuel Macron said that he sent "all my support to Boris Johnson, to his family and to the British people at this difficult moment".
Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, described the news as "terribly sad."
"All the country's thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time," he tweeted.
Former Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Thinking of @BorisJohnson and his family tonight. Get well soon. You are in great hands and we all want you safe, well and back in @10DowningStreet."
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