International media reports say that to a press release from the UK Prime Minister’s office, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized for tests on April 5 after suffering persistent symptoms of the new coronavirus 10 days after he tested positive for the illness, his office said.
Johnson was admitted to an unnamed London hospital "on the advice of his doctor," the release explained. The statement also said the hospitalization is a "precautionary step," according to CBS News.
The BBC says Mr. Johnson, 55, spent the night in hospital and is having what has been described as a series of "routine tests".
Johnson made headlines in early March, when the outbreak was just starting to hit the U.K., for saying he had shaken hands with coronavirus patients that he had visited in the hospital.
Johnson reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 on March 26 and has dealt with lingering symptoms, including a high fever, since then. Johnson is the first known world leader to contract the disease. Since then, the 55-year-old prime minister had been quarantined at his residence at 10 Downing Street.
Johnson remains the head of the British government for the time being, however, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab — who would take over for Johnson should he become unable to lead — will handle Monday's coronavirus meeting, according to The Associated Press.
