Boris Johnson leaves hospital to continue coronavirus recovery

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson left the hospital Sunday to continue his recovery from coronavirus after having spent a week in the hospital and three nights in the intensive care unit last week.

The prime minister departed from St. Thomas Hospital in London to recover at Chequers, the country house for the prime minister, a spokesman said in a statement obtained by The Guardian. 

Johnson praised the National Health Service (NHS) for its work, including crediting it for saving his life, in a video address to the country following his discharge from the hospital.

“I have today left the hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question,” he said. “It’s hard to find words to express my debt.”

He called the service the “beating heart of this country” and “unconquerable.” The prime minister also expressed thanks to U.K. residents for “the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making.”

“On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work,” the spokesman said. “He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas’ for the brilliant care he has received. All of his thoughts are with those affected by this illness.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will continue filling Johnson’s role as he recovers after he took over Monday night when the prime minister entered the ICU. 

Raab has announced the country’s lockdown instituted by Johnson will extend beyond its initial three-week time period

Johnson’s fiancée Carrie Symonds released a statement obtained by The Guardian thanking the hospital staff.

“I will never, ever be able to repay you and I will never stop thanking you,” she said.

The U.K. has confirmed almost 80,000 cases and nearly 10,000 deaths.