Government will carry on in fight against coronavirus, says Michael Gove

Ministers have stressed government business will continue after Boris Johnson was admitted to intensive care following a worsening of his coronavirus symptoms.

The Prime Minister was transferred to the intensive care unit at St Thomas’ Hospital on Monday evening, as a “precaution” in case he needed to be put on a ventilator.

Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said Mr Johnson had received “oxygen support” but was not on a ventilator.

Speaking on LBC radio he 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.”

In Mr Johnson’s absence, Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State, is standing in for him “where necessary” .

The worsening of the Prime Minister's condition comes at a critical moment in the coronavirus crisis, with the epidemic expected to reach its peak within a few days.

There was a palpable sense shock at Westminster and beyond at the speed of his apparent decline, following his admission to hospital on Sunday .

At the time Downing Street claimed the move was a “precautionary step”, as Mr Johnson's symptoms of a cough and high temperature had not gone away after his 10 days in self-isolation.

At first he continued working from his hospital bed, and received his ministerial red boxes.

However, by 7pm on Monday the decision was made to transfer him to intensive care so that a ventilator was close at hand if required.

The Cabinet was informed shortly afterwards, and the move was announced to the public by No 10 after 8pm.

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Mr Gove said that the Prime Minister was receiving the “very, very best care” and insisted that the government machine was continuing to function.

He told BBC Breakfast: “We’re all working together to implement the plan the Prime Minister set out in order to try to ensure that we can marshal all the resources of government, indeed all the resources of our country, in the fight against this invisible enemy.

“The work of government goes on.

“We have a superb Civil Service and they have ensured that the machinery is there for decisions to be made by ministers, by medical and scientific experts, and for those decisions to be followed through in a way which enables us to help those at the front line.”