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Britain's Johnson 'stable' in intensive care

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was battling the coronavirus in intensive care on Tuesday, raising serious concerns about his health as the country recorded its highest daily death toll. Britain's Johnson
"The prime minister has been stable overnight and remains in good spirits," his official spokesman told reporters.
He said the 55-year-old Conservative leader was receiving "standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any other assistance" and had not required a ventilator.
Johnson is the most high-profile government leader to become infected and messages of support flooded in from across Britain and the world.
He was admitted to intensive care on Monday evening and asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputize for him "where necessary", effectively putting him in charge.
Johnson had already spent Sunday night at a London hospital following concerns he still had a cough and high temperature 10 days after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
His transfer to intensive care is unprecedented for a prime minister during a national emergency.
For many people, it brought home the seriousness of the disease that has so far killed 6,159 people in Britain, with a record 786 new deaths reported in a daily update on Tuesday.
"It's pretty shocking, and also it just shows that it can affect anyone," said Mark Gillis, a Londoner who works for a media agency.
In a round of broadcast interviews, senior minister Michael Gove insisted the "work of government goes on". He later said he was now staying at home after a family member displayed mild coronavirus symptoms.
"I have not displayed any symptoms and am continuing to work as normal," Gove added on Twitter. Britain's Johnson
Raab chaired the daily coronavirus meeting in the prime minister's place on Tuesday and is now officially in charge.
"There is a clear plan... the government and the cabinet are working together to implement that plan," Johnson's spokesman said when asked if there was a power vacuum in Britain.
The country does not have a formal constitutional role of deputy prime minister, and experts said Raab would need the support of the rest of the cabinet to make any big decisions.
The most pressing issue is a review expected next week on whether to continue the nationwide lockdown introduced on March 23 to try to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Johnson announced on March 27 that he had coronavirus and went into self-isolation in a flat above his Downing Street office.
Officials initially said he was only suffering mild symptoms, and the prime minister posted regular videos online giving updates on the government's work.
His colleagues continued to insist on Monday that he was in charge.
But in the evening he was moved to intensive care in London's St Thomas' hospital after his condition worsened.
US President Donald Trump sent his "best wishes to a very good friend of mine", while leaders in Europe, India, Canada, and Australia urged his swift recovery.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Johnson's "energy, optimism, and sense of humor" would help him get better.
For some, the prime minister's larger-than-life personality has made his hospitalization all the more shocking.
His biographer Andrew Gimson said Johnson always made him feel upbeat, and "now here he is the stricken one".
"This is an enormous shock, completely unfamiliar territory for all those who know him," he told BBC radio.
Experts said it was not uncommon for coronavirus patients to move to intensive care, but said it showed Johnson's condition was serious.
"There is no doubt this turn of events means Boris Johnson is extremely sick," said Derek Hill, Professor of Medical Imaging at University College London (UCL).
The British government was criticized for initially refusing to follow other European countries in requiring people to stay home as the virus spread rapidly across the globe.
Johnson himself said in early March that he was still shaking hands with people. Britain's Johnson
Two weeks ago he ordered a nationwide lockdown, but parliament continued to sit for several days after, and Westminster became a hotspot for the virus.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, have both been infected, although they have since recovered.
Queen Elizabeth II, 93, made a rare public address on Sunday, evoking the spirit of World War II and urging Britons to stay united in a broadcast watched by 23 million people.
Johnson, who has been prime minister only since July last year, is not known to have any underlying health issues, although he has struggled with his weight.
Johnson's pregnant partner, Carrie Symonds, moved out of Downing Street after some staff fell ill.
But she said on Saturday she had just spent a week in bed with symptoms, although she has not been tested.
source: AFP levant
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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