British PM Boris Johnson ‘improving’ amid treatment for coronavirus

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is “improving” as he is treated for coronavirus in the intensive care unit of a London hospital, U.K. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said Wednesday.

“The latest from the hospital is the prime minister remains in intensive care where his condition is improving,” Sunak said at a news conference, The Associated Press reported.

“I can also tell you that he has been sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the clinical team,” the chancellor added.

Johnson’s spokesman told reporters he is “responding to treatment” and will stay in St. Thomas’ Hospital “for close monitoring,” the BBC and CNBC reported.

The spokesman said Johnson is “not working” while in the hospital but is in close contact with the necessary people. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has stepped in to perform the duties of prime minister.

Johnson, the first world leader to contract the virus, was hospitalized for severe respiratory symptoms Sunday and moved to the ICU on Monday evening. He had tested positive for the virus about a week before his hospitalization. 

At Tuesday’s daily press briefing, Raab said Johnson had been “receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any assistance,” according to CNBC.

“He’s not required any mechanical ventilation or noninvasive respiratory support. He remains in good spirits and in keeping with clinical practice his progress continues to be monitored closely in critical care,” Raab said.

The United Kingdom’s death toll, like several countries, experienced its largest daily increase on Tuesday, reaching 786 deaths, pushing the total number of deaths to 6,159.

President Trump has wished the prime minister the best in his recovery, saying “Americans are all praying for his recovery.”

Updated: 1:22 p.m.