Boris Johnson given oxygen but not on a ventilator after coronavirus-stricken PM moved to intensive care

Boris Johnson was given oxygen overnight but did not require a ventilator, according to a senior cabinet minister, speaking a day after the coronavirus-stricken U.K. prime minister was moved to a London hospital's intensive care unit.

Since Sunday evening, the prime minister has been in St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, as the country fights the epidemic.

COVID-19 deaths are nearing 5,400 in the U.K. and 11,000 in the U.S.

Johnson has been “receiving the very, very best care from the team at St Thomas’ and our hopes and prayers are with him and with his family," senior cabinet minister Michael Gove said.

"He is kept, of course, under close supervision. By being in intensive care if there is further support he needs it is there at hand. But the Prime Minister has not been on a ventilator,"  Gove said, according to Sky News.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson later confirmed: "The PM has been stable overnight and remains in good spirits.

"He has received standard oxygen treatment and is breathing without ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support. There has been no diagnosis of pneumonia."-READ MORE