Coronavirus survivor Boris Johnson thanks Aussie-trained nurse

Boris Johnson has travelled to the Prime Minister’s country retreat, Chequers, to recuperate from a week-long hospital stay.

Boris Johnson records a video message at 10 Downing Street after his release from hospital, before leaving for Chequers on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

The Australian healthcare service can claim some credit for Boris Johnson’s recovery as one of the nurses thanked by the British Prime Minister did postgraduate training in Melbourne.

It was reported New Zealand ward sister Jenny McGee, 35, did six years of intensive care training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital before moving to Britain and working at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. The other nurse Mr Johnson thanked was Luis Pitarma, 29, of Portugal.

In a video address to the nation after his release from hospital on Sunday night, Mr Johnson thanked “Jenny from New Zealand — Invercargill on the South Island to be exact — and Luis from Portugal, near Porto”, who watched over him for 48 hours “when things could have gone ­either way”.

“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,” he said.

Mr Johnson has travelled to the prime ministerial country retreat, Chequers, to recuperate from a week-long hospital stay where his coronavirus battle included three nights in intensive care.

Mr Johnson, 55, was not immediately returning to work, Downing Street said, leaving Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab as caretaker prime minister and in charge.

The Prime Minister joined heavily pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, who also had the coronavirus, to recover at Chequers.

Kiwi nurse Jenny McGee.

“I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS (National Health Service) has saved my life, no question,’’ 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.

“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.

Portuguese nurse Luis Pitarma.

“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 your efforts are worth it, and are daily proving their worth.”

The death toll in Britain climbed to 10,612 with 737 fatalities announced on Sunday, but the rates of new infections and those in intensive care have dropped slightly, suggesting it may have hit its peak. Former Bank of England governor Mervyn King said some schools and business should reopen as the NHS was more than coping. The government is expected to take advice from its scientific advisory group in the coming days to review the lockdown.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Mr Johnson was resting: “I’m delighted he’s out of hospital and recovered.’’