Boris Johnson ‘planning return to work as soon as Monday’ as he continues coronavirus recovery

Boris Johnson is reportedly planning to return to work as soon as next Monday to take back control of the coronavirus crisis.

Earlier this month, the Prime Minister was discharged from hospital and was continuing his recovery from Covid-19 at his country residence of Chequers.

But Mr Johnson has told aides to schedule catch-up meetings with individual Cabinet ministers next week so he can get fully up to speed, according to the Telegraph.

Downing Street would not comment on the report when approached by the Standard and said the PM was continuing his recovery at Chequers.

While it is not officially known when Mr Johnson will be returning work as Prime Minister and making public speaking appearances, he has made clear he is “on the road to recovery”.

Speaking to US President Donald Trump on the phone from Chequers the PM said he was “feeling better” after leaving hospital, the White House said.

According to Downing Street, the two leaders discussed the need for an international response to the pandemic and a post-Brexit trade deal.

Suggestions Mr Johnson could soon return to work come as he faces criticism for reacting too slowly to the virus outbreak.

The UK is at or near the peak of a health crisis with the number of deaths related to coronavirus hitting 18,738 – the fifth highest national death toll from the pandemic.

The death toll rose by 638, up from 18,100 the day before.

Of the 638 new deaths announced, 616 were new, while 22 were as a result of Northern Ireland adjusting its data.

And of the hospital deaths 514 were in England, where the highest death toll in a single day remains 838 on April 8.

A number of the UK’s top scientists maintain that April 8 was the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

As the hospital death toll continues to rise, it is believed the true number of fatalities will be far higher, when deaths in the community – such as care homes – are accounted for.