DOMINIC Raab has stepped up to lead the Government’s Covid-19 meeting today after Boris Johnson was admitted to hopsital last night.
The Foreign Secretary is the First Secretary of State and second-in-line to take over if the PM becomes too ill to.
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He chaired the daily coronavirus meeting and updated the rest of the Cabinet on the PM’s health, and the nation’s efforts to combat the disease.
Michael Gove and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are also next in line for the PM to delegate to if he’s too sick.
Boris last night was taken in to a London hospital for tests after “persistent symptoms” of the virus failed to go away.
Anyone who doesn’t get better after a week is at increased risk, experts say.
The PM, 55, was admitted 10 days after testing positive for the virus – and stayed the night there.
The Times said today he was given oxygen treatment after arriving there by car.
No10 stressed it was not an emergency trip and was a planned visit on advice from his doctor.
The admission was a “precautionary step” as he continued to have “persistent symptoms”, thought to be a high temperature.
The move comes after aides became increasingly worried about his health as Mr Johnson continued to show symptoms more than a week after he tested positive.
Government aides said Boris had been “coughing and spluttering” on video conference calls over the past few days.
Most people manage to shake off their symptoms after a week, with doctors saying patients are at risk of developing pneumonia if a temperature persists.
Last night a Downing Street spokesman said: “On the advice of his doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests.
“This is a precautionary step, as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus ten days after testing positive for the virus.
“The Prime Minister thanks NHS staff for all of their incredible hard work and urges the public to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
Ministers today urged Boris to oficially step down from leading the charge today and focus on getting better.
James Duddridge MP said: “Take care boss. Get well. Come back fighting. But for now rest, look after yourself and let the others do the heavy lift.”
“This may be the jolt, the wake-up call that he realises he has to rest to recover,”one Cabinet minister told the Financial Times.
“He will have been very reluctant to go to hospital.”
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