Coronavirus: Boris Johnson leaves hospital but won’t return to work immediately

Boris Johnson has thanked two intensive care nurses who cared for him over 48 hours as he recovers at Chequers | WATCH

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson records a video message on Easter Sunday at Number 10 after his release from hospital, before leaving for Chequers. Picture: Pippa Fowles

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has travelled to his country retreat Chequers to recuperate from a week-long hospital stay where his battle against coronavirus included three nights in intensive care.

Mr Johnson, 55, was not immediately returning to work, Downing Street confirmed, leaving foreign secretary Dominic Raab in charge of the coronavirus crisis.

In the UK, deaths have topped 10,000, although health secretary Matt Hancock says the final death toll is still predicted to be under 20,000 and that there are thousands of spare intensive care beds across the country.

Mr Johnson issued a video message, saying: “I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question.”

It is hard to find the words to express my debt to the NHS for saving my life.

The efforts of millions of people across this country to stay home are worth it. Together we will overcome this challenge, as we have overcome so many challenges in the past. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/HK7Ch8BMB5

— Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) April 12, 2020

He thanked and named two staff who watched over him for 48 hours “when things could have gone either way, as being ‘Jenny from New Zealand — Invercargill on the South Island, to be exact — and Luis from Portugal, near Porto’.”

He added: “And the reason in the end my body did start to get enough oxygen was because for every second of the night they were watching and they were thinking and they were caring and making the interventions I needed.”

Mr Johnson has joined his heavily pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, who has also had coronavirus, to recover at Chequers. He said: “It’s hard to find the words to express my debt — but before I come to that, I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making.

Boris Johnson leaves hospital, but won’t return to work immediately. https://t.co/82B2i7B7m8

— The Australian (@australian) April 12, 2020

“When the sun is out and the kids are at home; when the whole natural world seems at its loveliest and the outdoors is so inviting, I can only imagine how tough it has been to follow the rules on social distancing.

“I thank you because so many millions and millions of people across this country have been doing the right thing — millions going through the hardship of self-isolation — faithfully, patiently, with thought and care for others as well as for themselves.

“I want you to know that this Easter Sunday I do believe that your efforts are worth it, and are daily proving their worth.”

There were times last week that were very dark indeed. My heart goes out to all those in similar situations, worried sick about their loved ones.

— Carrie Symonds (@carriesymonds) April 12, 2020

The death toll in Britain climbed to 10,612 with 737 fatalities announced on Sunday, but the rate of new infections and those in intensive care has slightly dropped, suggesting the country may have hit the peak.

The former Bank of England governor Lord King said some schools and business should reopen as the NHS was more than coping with the current infection rate.

The government is expected to take advice from its scientific advisory group in the coming days to review the lockdown.

#Coronavirus brings an uncertain Easter for so many of us. We must persevere and follow the rules - then each new day will bring us closer to normal life. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/cEQfEIw9ss

— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) April 12, 2020

Mr Hancock said at the daily press conference that Mr Johnson was resting, adding “I’m delighted that he’s out of hospital and he’s recovered.” He said it would be a clinical decision for doctors to take with the prime minister as to how long he will rest.

“The government is operating perfectly efficiently within the strategy that he set out,” Mr Hancock said.

The Australian health care service can claim some credit for Mr Johnson’s recovery as the two name checked by the prime minister were ward sister Jenny McGee, 35 and Luis Pitarma, 29.

It was reported Ms McGee did her intensive care training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for six years before moving to the UK and working at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.