UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street for PMQ's on March 25, 2020 in London, England. British parliament will be suspended tonight due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. It had previously been scheduled to break for Easter on March 31; it will tentatively sit again on April 21. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to at least 182 countries, claiming over 18,000 lives and infecting hundreds of thousands more. Peter Summers/Getty Images

Boris Johnson is receiving breathing support at the intensive care unit, a government official revealed. This follows news late Monday local time that the British Prime Minister has been moved to the ICU of a London hospital less than two weeks after being tested positive for COVID-19.

On Sunday, Johnson was admitted at St. Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster Bridge Rd. less than two weeks after he was confirmed positive of the coronavirus on March 27. A Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement that the move was a “precautionary step as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent symptoms.” He would be undergoing “routine tests.”

A few hours later, news broke that Johnson has been moved to the ICU, another precautionary step in case he requires a ventilator. Another statement said the condition of the PM “has worsened.”

A new update now reveals Johnson is receiving “oxygen support,” senior Cabinet member, Michael Gove told BBC in an interview.

“One of the reasons for being in intensive care is to make sure that whatever support the medical team consider to be appropriate can be provided,” the Cabinet Office minister explained, adding Johnson is “not on a ventilator.”

Taking over for the Prime Minister is Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. Raab led Monday’s coronavirus briefing and will deputize for Johnson where necessary.

“The government's business will continue and the Prime Minister is in safe hands with a brilliant team at St Thomas's hospital,” Raab said during a televised statement.

“And the focus of the government will continue to be on making sure that the Prime Minister's direction, all the plans for making sure that we can defeat coronavirus and can pull the country through this challenge, will be taken forward.”

Gove also reassured the public Tuesday the government is being up front and transparent about the Prime Minister’s condition.

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