Boris Johnson “continues to improve” in intensive care where he is being treated for coronavirus, No.10 has said.
The prime minister spent a third night in intensive care on Wednesday evening at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
A spokesperson for the PM said on Thursday afternoon: “The PM had a good night and continues to improve in intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital. He is in good spirits.
“The prime minister and No.10 are hugely grateful for all the messages of support that the PM has received and thanks NHS staff for the brilliant care which he has been receiving.”
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has been deputising for Johnson while the PM is treated and is expected to take part in the ‘clap for carers’ event tonight.
Downing Street also warned that there must no easing up of coronavirus restrictions over the Easter weekend.
The government is due to carry out the first review next week of the lockdown measures announced last month to curb the spread of the disease.
However, the PM’s official spokesman did not contradict a warning by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that there was no possibility of any relaxation of the restrictions at that point.
“What we absolutely need to do now is keep bearing down on the rate of transmission which will mean continuing with social distancing measures to ensure we are protecting the NHS and saving lives,” the spokesman said.
“We are at a critical point in this. That is certainly the case as we approach the Easter bank holiday weekend.”
The spokesman added: “The public response to this has been brilliant. People have made very big sacrifices in the way they live their lives. You are beginning to see the impact that is having but people really do need to stick with it at what is a critical juncture.”