Cuomo sees "possible flattening of the curve" in New York - CBS News

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Monday that there are signs the hard-hit state is reaching the apex as the number of people who died from coronavirus has remained flat for the second day in a row. New hospitalizations are also down, as well as ICU admissions, he said.

All these signs suggest a "possible flattening of the curve," he said.

To keep the current trend going, Cuomo said schools and non-essential businesses will remain closed until April 29, extending his original order by nine more days.

Coronavirus: The Race To Respond ›

More in Coronavirus: The Race To Respond

Cuomo said that it's unclear if New York is currently at a plateau — meaning the current rates will continue for a while — or is at a peak that will start declining. He warned that the health care system, which he said is "running at redline," cannot maintain this level for long.

He said hospitals are "beyond capacity" for ventilators. He said hospitals are discussing every day shifting staff, ventilators and PPE to where they are needed most throughout the state. He thanked states that have sent ventilators, and he promised that once the worst is over in New York, "we will be there for every other state like they have been there for us." 

"People can't work any harder, the staff can't work any harder and staying at this level is problematic," Cuomo said.

Cuomo said the flattening numbers are a result of social distancing. But he warned that if people "get reckless" and stop following social distancing guidelines, those numbers will increase.

"We have been behind on the virus since Day 1 and this virus has kicked our rear end and we underestimate this virus at our own peril," Cuomo said.

He also ordered more aggressive enforcement of social distancing and increased the amount of potential fines for violators, saying the good weather had led to more people being outside. 

"No one has the right to be reckless in our own behavior," Cuomo said. "Now is not the time to be playing frisbee in the park. Now is not the time to be going to a funeral with 200 people. Yes I understand grieving, I understand religious services can help with the grieving process, I understand it's hard not to do that, but as a society, the risk is too great. Enforce the law." 

Governor Cuomo: "Now is not the time" to ease up on social distancing for coronavirus

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2020-04-06 18:39:00Z
52780707704788

UK PM Boris Johnson is in 'good spirits' as he works in the hospital despite coronavirus - CNBC

A file photo dated on March 18, 2020 shows British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaving Number 10 at Downing Street, London.

Ray Tang | Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday he's "in good spirits" and is leading the government's efforts to tackle the coronavirus epidemic despite being hospitalized.

Dominic Raab, the U.K.'s first secretary of state, said the prime minister had a "comfortable night" in hospital.

"This was a precautionary step because he continues to have persistent coronavirus symptoms 10 days after first having tested positive for the virus," Raab told reporters at the government's daily press conference Monday. Under British law, Raab would assume responsibilities of running the government if the prime minister becomes unable to.

Earlier Monday, Johnson said he went to hospital on Sunday for "routine tests" because he was still experiencing coronavirus symptoms 10 days after contracting COVID-19.

"I'm in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe," he tweeted.

The prime minister had been in self-isolation at his flat next door to 10 Downing St. before being admitted to St. Thomas' Hospital in London.

In a second tweet, Johnson thanked the National Health Service and urged Brits to stay at home. The U.K. has been on lockdown for over two weeks.

"I'd like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain," the prime minister said.

"Stay safe everyone, and please remember to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives."

Speaking later Monday, Raab, who is also the U.K.'s foreign secretary, added: "I can reassure the British people that the government remains united in a single overriding priority which is to defeat the coronavirus and see this nation through the challenge ahead."

The description of the prime minister's symptoms as "persistent" on Sunday was a marked change from "mild," which had been used to described his symptoms until then. 

Raab insisted that Johnson would continue to lead the government from hospital, despite his illness.

"He'll continue to take doctors' advice on what to do next," he said. "We have a team which ... is in full throttle making sure his directions and his instructions are being implemented and followed through."

In the U.K., 48,451 people have been infected, while 4,943 who tested positive for the virus have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, is among those who have contracted the illness but he emerged from self-isolation last week.

A total of 5,373 Britons have died after testing positive for the coronavirus, the U.K.'s Department of Health and Science said Monday, up 439 from the previous day.

It said that of the 208,837 people tested, 51,608 have tested positive for the virus.

Queen Elizabeth II, Charles' mother, addressed the nation Sunday in a rare television speech, calling the COVID-19 pandemic a "different" kind of challenge.

"This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavor, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed — and that success will belong to every one of us."

"We will meet again," she added, in reference to the British song made famous by Vera Lynn during World War II.

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2020-04-06 17:14:15Z
52780704870161

Parts of the US will endure a devastating week from coronavirus, health officials say. But there are also signs of hope - CNN

Mortuaries in New Orleans are out of space, and the mayor said she needs help getting more refrigeration.

New York, New Jersey and Detroit will see peaks in hospitalizations and deaths this week, the US Health and Human Services assistant secretary said.

Such peaks will happen in other US cities in the coming weeks, Dr. Brett Giroir told NBC's "Today" show Monday.

He said peaks reflect infections that occurred two or three weeks ago.

"We may be seeing the worst upon us right now in terms of outcomes," Giroir said.

The virus has infected over 337,000 people in the US and killed more than 9,600, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

But there may be many more deaths from coronavirus than we realize, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Some "may be misclassified as pneumonia deaths in the absence of positive test results," the CDC said.

"We really are just seeing the tip of the iceberg, and a lot of it has to do with the tests we have available," said Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.

US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams described the week ahead as a "Pearl Harbor moment" and a "9/11 moment." He told "Fox News Sunday" that this week will be the "hardest and the saddest" week many Americans have ever faced.

What hotspots across the country are grappling with

In New Orleans, the coroner's office and mortuaries have reached their limits, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. She's asked the federal government for additional refrigeration.

The New Orleans convention center, which sheltered Hurricane Katrina evacuees 15 years ago, has now been converted into an emergency hospital. It's set to open Monday.

Across Louisiana, more than 13,000 people have been infected with coronavirus and at least 477 have died. Gov. John Bel Edwards said his state could run out of ventilators by the end of the week if cases continue to surge.

But the hardest-hit state, New York, reported a bit of good news. On Sunday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported a drop in the daily number of reported deaths for the first time in days.

He also said ICU admissions and daily intubations were down and the hospital discharge rate was "way up."

But Cuomo warned it's still too soon to tell if the trend will hold. He said New York may be approaching its peak in cases.

Your top coronavirus questions, answered daily

Religious holidays threaten social distancing

Health officials are stressing the need for social distancing as several faiths observe religious holidays.

This week is Holy Week in the Christian faith, culminating with Easter on Sunday. The Jewish holiday of Passover starts Wednesday evening. And the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins later this month.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he empathized with worshipers but implored them to stay home.

"I know it's a very difficult thing, as a Catholic," Walsh said.

Many states have exemptions from stay-at-home orders for religious gatherings. But even in states with stricter orders, some church leaders are defying the rules and still holding service.

The Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged last week with violating the state's ban. But on Sunday, he and 1,200 congregants gathered again.

"We don't get our rights to worship freely from the government. We get those from God," Spell said Sunday. "We'd rather obey God than man."

Many places of worship are holding services virtually to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez thanked religious leaders who held services online, calling it the "safest way to keep us all connected."

Scrambling for solutions

With no end to this pandemic in sight, more Americans are getting creative in helping fight the virus's spread.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will open more than 1,500 hospital beds for civilians in multiple states, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said.

The VA is helping in New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Michigan and Massachusetts.

Across the country, more Americans are wearing homemade cloth masks as health care workers worry about dwindling supplies of surgical masks.

The surge in people wearing cloth masks in public came after the CDC said it could help prevent asymptomatic carriers of the virus from infecting others.

And 3D printer companies are stepping in to help hospitals in dire need of face shields.

Doctors and nurses say any help is needed.

In one Brooklyn emergency room, it seems almost every patient -- no matter what they came in for -- is found to have coronavirus, Dr. Sneha Topgi said.

"I think we're still at the beginning, and I am scared," Topgi said. "I'm scared for myself, and I'm scared for everyone in general."

CNN's Jacqueline Howard, Gisela Crespo, Dakin Andone, Sheena Jones, Laura Ly, Athena Jones and Kristina Sgueglia contributed to this report.

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2020-04-06 16:25:03Z
52780710704288

Boris Johnson 'under observation' in a London hospital for coronavirus infection - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/british-leader-boris-johnson-admitted-to-hospital-because-of-persistent-symptoms-of-coronavirus/2020/04/06/2fcc7039-ce97-491a-b368-7e02a0d9864f_video.html

LONDON — Sick with covid-19, suffering from a persistent cough and fever, Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained “under observation” at St. Thomas’ Hospital on Tuesday, a government official said.

Johnson’s office declined to describe what tests or treatments he had received, or say whether he had developed breathing problems or pneumonia, two of the common symptoms for coronavirus patients sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. One British newspaper reported that the prime minister had received oxygen treatment upon admission, but the government declined to confirm this.

Johnson was taken Sunday evening to the National Health Service hospital, where he spent a “comfortable night” in the National Health Service hospital and “is in good spirits,” said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is chairing emergency meetings and briefing the press in Johnson’s absence.

The prime minister tweeted Tuesday, “Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms.” He thanked the “brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time.”

Johnson’s staff sought to put the best spin on the fact that the 55-year-old leader is not well. They stressed that the prime minister continues to lead the government, communicate with his ministers, receive his red dispatch box of documents and work from his bed.

[Live updates: Complete coronavirus coverage]

There were, however, worries that Johnson was getting not getting better. Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, conducted via teleconference, was postponed, as a government minister cautioned that Johnson might spend more nights in the hospital.

The British leader tested positive for the virus 12 days ago. He immediately went into self-isolation in his apartment at Downing Street, getting his food brought to the door on a tray, his aides said.

Johnson completed the recommended seven days of isolation, then extended his quarantine for three more days, and then on the advice of his doctor checked into the hospital Sunday evening, around the time that Queen Elizabeth II was making an extraordinary address to the country.

She spoke of “an increasingly challenging time. A time of disruption in the life of our country: A disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.”

Johnson, one of the first world leaders to be diagnosed with covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, was last seen by the public in a short video posted Friday on his Twitter feed, urging Britons to remain indoors except to go shopping, visit the doctor or exercise. In the clips, he looked ragged, with puffy eyes and pale skin.

The rules for who takes over if a leader becomes incapacitated are not as straightforward in Britain as in the United States, where the vice president would assume the duties.

In Britain’s parliamentary system, the prime minister names their designate, and 10 Downing Street has confirmed reports that person is Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary. But analysts said that could be influenced by wider cabinet thinking.

Daniel Leal-Olivas

AFP/Getty Images

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab leaves Downing Street in central London on April 6.

“It isn’t as cut and dry and black and white as it is in the U.S.,” said Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London. “Were somebody to be suddenly struck down and there were no named interim in place, it would ultimately be up to the cabinet to decide. . . . The prime minister is not the chief executive the way the president is.”

Bale said it wasn’t surprising that Johnson wasn’t pushing to step aside. “It’s very difficult for prime ministers to relinquish their power, emotionally speaking. And I would have thought that Boris Johnson would, like many other members of his cabinet, be acutely aware of Dominic Raab’s limitations as a public communicator. I also think if you think of who is the de facto deputy prime minister most people would point to Michael Gove rather than Dominic Raab.” Gove is another senior cabinet minister.

His allies have publicly rallied behind Johnson.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/boris-johnson-doing-well-after-coronavirus-hospitalization-says-uk-housing-minister/2020/04/06/c5b1d5eb-f844-4d9c-9ab4-4a65fb63f74d_video.html

Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, told the BBC on Monday that Johnson was “still very much in charge,” though he acknowledged the prime minister may require more nights in the hospital.

Johnson, Jenrick said, has been “working extremely hard leading the government and being constantly updated — that’s going to continue.”

“I’m sure this is very frustrating for him, for somebody like Boris who wants to be hands on running the government from the front,” Jenrick said. “But nonetheless, he’s still very much in charge of the government.”

Others have questioned whether he should hand over the reins for the time being.

Bob Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, told the BBC that “I think, in the end, if he’s not well, he will have to reflect on this, because the job’s tough at the best of times, and it’s doubly tough now.”

George Osborne, editor of the Evening Standard newspaper and a former finance minister, tweeted, “Boris wouldn’t be in hospital unless it was serious.”

Read more

Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news

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2020-04-06 16:56:38Z
52780704870161

Boris Johnson 'under observation' in a London hospital for coronavirus infection - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/british-leader-boris-johnson-admitted-to-hospital-because-of-persistent-symptoms-of-coronavirus/2020/04/06/2fcc7039-ce97-491a-b368-7e02a0d9864f_video.html

LONDON — Sick with covid-19, suffering from a persistent cough and fever, Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained “under observation” at St. Thomas’ Hospital on Tuesday, a government official said.

Johnson’s office declined to describe what tests or treatments he had received, or say whether he had developed breathing problems or pneumonia, two of the common symptoms for coronavirus patients sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. One British newspaper reported that the prime minister had received oxygen treatment upon admission, but the government declined to confirm this.

Johnson was taken Sunday evening to the National Health Service hospital, where he spent a “comfortable night” in the National Health Service hospital and “is in good spirits,” said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is chairing emergency meetings and briefing the press in Johnson’s absence.

The prime minister tweeted Tuesday, “Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms.” He thanked the “brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time.”

Johnson’s staff sought to put the best spin on the fact that the 55-year-old leader is not well. They stressed that the prime minister continues to lead the government, communicate with his ministers, receive his red dispatch box of documents and work from his bed.

[Live updates: Complete coronavirus coverage]

There were, however, worries that Johnson was getting not getting better. Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, conducted via teleconference, was postponed, as a government minister cautioned that Johnson might spend more nights in the hospital.

The British leader tested positive for the virus 12 days ago. He immediately went into self-isolation in his apartment at Downing Street, getting his food brought to the door on a tray, his aides said.

Johnson completed the recommended seven days of isolation, then extended his quarantine for three more days, and then on the advice of his doctor checked into the hospital Sunday evening, around the time that Queen Elizabeth II was making an extraordinary address to the country.

She spoke of “an increasingly challenging time. A time of disruption in the life of our country: A disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.”

Johnson, one of the first world leaders to be diagnosed with covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, was last seen by the public in a short video posted Friday on his Twitter feed, urging Britons to remain indoors except to go shopping, visit the doctor or exercise. In the clips, he looked ragged, with puffy eyes and pale skin.

The rules for who takes over if a leader becomes incapacitated are not as straightforward in Britain as in the United States, where the vice president would assume the duties.

In Britain’s parliamentary system, the prime minister names their designate, and 10 Downing Street has confirmed reports that person is Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary. But analysts said that could be influenced by wider cabinet thinking.

Daniel Leal-Olivas

AFP/Getty Images

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab leaves Downing Street in central London on April 6.

“It isn’t as cut and dry and black and white as it is in the U.S.,” said Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London. “Were somebody to be suddenly struck down and there were no named interim in place, it would ultimately be up to the cabinet to decide. . . . The prime minister is not the chief executive the way the president is.”

Bale said it wasn’t surprising that Johnson wasn’t pushing to step aside. “It’s very difficult for prime ministers to relinquish their power, emotionally speaking. And I would have thought that Boris Johnson would, like many other members of his cabinet, be acutely aware of Dominic Raab’s limitations as a public communicator. I also think if you think of who is the de facto deputy prime minister most people would point to Michael Gove rather than Dominic Raab.” Gove is another senior cabinet minister.

His allies have publicly rallied behind Johnson.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/boris-johnson-doing-well-after-coronavirus-hospitalization-says-uk-housing-minister/2020/04/06/c5b1d5eb-f844-4d9c-9ab4-4a65fb63f74d_video.html

Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, told the BBC on Monday that Johnson was “still very much in charge,” though he acknowledged the prime minister may require more nights in the hospital.

Johnson, Jenrick said, has been “working extremely hard leading the government and being constantly updated — that’s going to continue.”

“I’m sure this is very frustrating for him, for somebody like Boris who wants to be hands on running the government from the front,” Jenrick said. “But nonetheless, he’s still very much in charge of the government.”

Others have questioned whether he should hand over the reins for the time being.

Bob Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, told the BBC that “I think, in the end, if he’s not well, he will have to reflect on this, because the job’s tough at the best of times, and it’s doubly tough now.”

George Osborne, editor of the Evening Standard newspaper and a former finance minister, tweeted, “Boris wouldn’t be in hospital unless it was serious.”

Read more

Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news

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2020-04-06 16:16:54Z
52780704870161

Boris Johnson 'under observation' in a London hospital for coronavirus infection - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/british-leader-boris-johnson-admitted-to-hospital-because-of-persistent-symptoms-of-coronavirus/2020/04/06/2fcc7039-ce97-491a-b368-7e02a0d9864f_video.html

LONDON — Sick with the novel coronavirus, suffering from a persistent cough and fever, Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent “a comfortable night” in St. Thomas’ Hospital and remains “in good spirits,” his official spokesman said Monday.

Johnson was taken Sunday evening to the National Health Service hospital, where he “remains under observation,” said his spokesman, who by protocol is not named.

The prime minister tweeted, “Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms.” He thanked the “brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time.”

Johnson’s office declined to describe what tests or treatments he had received, or say whether he had developed breathing problems or pneumonia, two of the common symptoms for patients sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. One British newspaper reported that the prime minister had received oxygen treatment upon admission, but the government declined to confirm this.

Johnson’s staff sought to put the best spin on the fact that the 55-year-old leader is not well. They stressed that the prime minister continues to the lead the government, communicate with his ministers, receive his red dispatch box of documents and work from his bed.

[Live updates: Complete coronavirus coverage]

There were, however, worries that Johnson was getting not getting better. Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, conducted via teleconference, was postponed, as a government minister cautioned that Johnson might spend more nights in the hospital.

The British leader was found to be infected with the virus after testing 12 days ago. He went into self-isolation in his apartment at Downing Street, getting his food brought to the door on a tray, his aides said.

Johnson completed the recommended seven days of isolation, then extended his quarantine for three more days, and then on the advice of his doctor checked into the hospital Sunday evening, around the time that Queen Elizabeth II was making an extraordinary address to the country.

She spoke of “an increasingly challenging time. A time of disruption in the life of our country: A disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.”

Johnson, one of the first world leaders to be diagnosed with covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, was last seen in a short video posted Friday on his Twitter feed, urging Britons to remain indoors except to go shopping, visit the doctor or exercise. In the clips, he looked ragged, with puffy eyes and pale skin.

The rules for who takes over if a leader becomes incapacitated are not as straightforward in Britain as in the United States, where the vice president would assume the duties.

In Britain’s parliamentary system, the prime minister names their designate, and 10 Downing Street has confirmed reports that person is Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary. But analysts said that could be influenced by wider cabinet thinking.

Daniel Leal-Olivas

AFP/Getty Images

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab leaves Downing Street in central London on April 6.

“It isn’t as cut and dry and black and white as it is in the U.S.,” said Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London. “Were somebody to be suddenly struck down and there were no named interim in place, it would ultimately be up to the cabinet to decide. . . . The prime minister is not the chief executive the way the president is.”

Bale said it wasn’t surprising that Johnson wasn’t pushing to step aside. “It’s very difficult for prime ministers to relinquish their power, emotionally speaking. And I would have thought that Boris Johnson would, like many other members of his cabinet, be acutely aware of Dominic Raab’s limitations as a public communicator. I also think if you think of who is the de facto deputy prime minister most people would point to Michael Gove rather than Dominic Raab.” Gove is another senior cabinet minister.

His allies have publicly rallied behind Johnson.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/boris-johnson-doing-well-after-coronavirus-hospitalization-says-uk-housing-minister/2020/04/06/c5b1d5eb-f844-4d9c-9ab4-4a65fb63f74d_video.html

Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, told the BBC on Monday that Johnson was “still very much in charge,” though he acknowledged the prime minister may require more nights in the hospital.

Johnson, Jenrick said, has been “working extremely hard leading the government and being constantly updated — that’s going to continue.”

“I’m sure this is very frustrating for him, for somebody like Boris who wants to be hands on running the government from the front,” Jenrick said. “But nonetheless, he’s still very much in charge of the government.”

Others have questioned whether he should hand over the reins for the time being.

Bob Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, told the BBC that “I think in the end if he’s not well, he will have to reflect on this because the job’s tough at the best of times and it’s doubly tough now.”

George Osborne, editor of the Evening Standard newspaper and former finance minister, tweeted, “Boris wouldn’t be in hospital unless it was serious.”

Read more

Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news

Let's block ads! (Why?)

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2020-04-06 15:40:56Z
52780704870161

Boris Johnson 'under observation' in a London hospital for coronavirus infection - The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/british-leader-boris-johnson-admitted-to-hospital-because-of-persistent-symptoms-of-coronavirus/2020/04/06/2fcc7039-ce97-491a-b368-7e02a0d9864f_video.html

LONDON — Sick with the novel coronavirus, suffering from a persistent cough and fever, Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent “a comfortable night” in St. Thomas’ Hospital and remains “in good spirits,” his official spokesman said Monday.

Johnson was taken Sunday evening to the National Health Service hospital, where he “remains under observation,” said his spokesman, who by protocol is not named.

The prime minister tweeted, “Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms.” He thanked the “brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time.”

Johnson’s office declined to describe what tests or treatments he had received, or say whether he had developed breathing problems or pneumonia, two of the common symptoms for patients sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. One British newspaper reported that the prime minister had received oxygen treatment upon admission, but the government declined to confirm this.

Johnson’s staff sought to put the best spin on the fact that the 55-year-old leader is not well. They stressed that the prime minister continues to the lead the government, communicate with his ministers, receive his red dispatch box of documents and work from his bed.

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There were, however, worries that Johnson was getting not getting better. Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, conducted via teleconference, was postponed, as a government minister cautioned that Johnson might spend more nights in the hospital.

The British leader was found to be infected with the virus after testing 12 days ago. He went into self-isolation in his apartment at Downing Street, getting his food brought to the door on a tray, his aides said.

Johnson completed the recommended seven days of isolation, then extended his quarantine for three more days, and then on the advice of his doctor checked into the hospital Sunday evening, around the time that Queen Elizabeth II was making an extraordinary address to the country.

She spoke of “an increasingly challenging time. A time of disruption in the life of our country: A disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.”

Johnson, one of the first world leaders to be diagnosed with covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, was last seen in a short video posted Friday on his Twitter feed, urging Britons to remain indoors except to go shopping, visit the doctor or exercise. In the clips, he looked ragged, with puffy eyes and pale skin.

The rules for who takes over if a leader becomes incapacitated are not as straightforward in Britain as in the United States, where the vice president would assume the duties.

In Britain’s parliamentary system, the prime minister names their designate, and 10 Downing Street has confirmed reports that person is Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary. But analysts said that could be influenced by wider cabinet thinking.

Daniel Leal-Olivas

AFP/Getty Images

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab leaves Downing Street in central London on April 6.

“It isn’t as cut and dry and black and white as it is in the U.S.,” said Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London. “Were somebody to be suddenly struck down and there were no named interim in place, it would ultimately be up to the cabinet to decide. . . . The prime minister is not the chief executive the way the president is.”

Bale said it wasn’t surprising that Johnson wasn’t pushing to step aside. “It’s very difficult for prime ministers to relinquish their power, emotionally speaking. And I would have thought that Boris Johnson would, like many other members of his cabinet, be acutely aware of Dominic Raab’s limitations as a public communicator. I also think if you think of who is the de facto deputy prime minister most people would point to Michael Gove rather than Dominic Raab.” Gove is another senior cabinet minister.

His allies have publicly rallied behind Johnson.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/boris-johnson-doing-well-after-coronavirus-hospitalization-says-uk-housing-minister/2020/04/06/c5b1d5eb-f844-4d9c-9ab4-4a65fb63f74d_video.html

Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, told the BBC on Monday that Johnson was “still very much in charge,” though he acknowledged the prime minister may require more nights in the hospital.

Johnson, Jenrick said, has been “working extremely hard leading the government and being constantly updated — that’s going to continue.”

“I’m sure this is very frustrating for him, for somebody like Boris who wants to be hands on running the government from the front,” Jenrick said. “But nonetheless, he’s still very much in charge of the government.”

Others have questioned whether he should hand over the reins for the time being.

Bob Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, told the BBC that “I think in the end if he’s not well, he will have to reflect on this because the job’s tough at the best of times and it’s doubly tough now.”

George Osborne, editor of the Evening Standard newspaper and former finance minister, tweeted, “Boris wouldn’t be in hospital unless it was serious.”

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https://news.google.com/__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?oc=5

2020-04-06 15:10:08Z
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