UK’s Boris Johnson remains in intensive care with coronavirus as world leaders send messages of support

World leaders have rallied around U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, sending him their best wishes and wishing him a speedy recovery after his admission to an intensive care unit Monday evening as his coronavirus symptoms worsened. President Donald Trump sent his best wishes to the prime minister Monday and told a press briefing that: “All Americans are praying for him, he’s a friend of mine, he’s a great gentleman and a great leader.”

Johnson received support from closer to home too, with various European leaders wishing him a speedy recovery. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted Monday: “I send all my support to Boris Johnson, to his family and to the British people at this difficult moment. I wish him a speedy recovery at this testing time.”

The BBC reported that Johnson had received oxygen Monday afternoon was moved to ICU in order to be nearer to a ventilator, if necessary. The virus attacks the respiratory system and can cause pneumonia. For the sickest, ventilation (which carries risks itself) is required to take over the breathing process and to allow the immune system to concentrate on fighting the virus.

Johnson’s team said Monday that the prime minister was still conscious and not yet on ventilation, however. Johnson himself had tweeted Monday afternoon that he was in “good spirits.” The messages of support from fellow leaders come as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread worldwide. The U.S., which has recorded the highest number of infections, has reported over 368,000 confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University, and 10,989 deaths.

UK’s Boris Johnson remains in intensive care with coronavirus as world leaders send messages of support, CNBC, Apr 7