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UK coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson 'not on a ventilator' says Michael Gove UK coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson 'not on a ventilator' says Michael Gove
(32 minutes later)
Follow the latest developments as we wait for updates on the condition of the prime minister after his coronavirus symptoms worsenedFollow the latest developments as we wait for updates on the condition of the prime minister after his coronavirus symptoms worsened
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The doctors union, Doctors in Unite, has condemned guidance issued last week that suggested some coronavirus patients could be taken off ventilators in favour of those more likely to survive
A document issued by the British Medical Association, set out guidelines to ration care if the NHS becomes overwhelmed with new cases as the outbreak moves towards its peak.
Under the proposals, designed to provide doctors with ethical guidance on how to decide who should get life-saving care when resources are overstretched, hospitals would have to impose severe limits on who is put on a ventilator. Large numbers of patients could be denied care, with those facing a poor prognosis losing the potentially life-saving equipment even if their condition is improving.
A strong-worded statement issued by Dr Jackie Applebee, chair of Doctor in Unite, challenged such guidance.
It said:
The statement also said it was “immoral” to request health and social care workers to look after patients without appropriate personal protective equipment.
WhatsApp is to impose a strict new limit on message forwarding as the Facebook-owned chat app seeks to slow the dissemination of fake news, the company has announced.
If a user receives a frequently forwarded message – one which has been forwarded more than five times – under the new curbs, they will only be able to send it on to a single chat at a time. That is one fifth the previous limit of five chats, imposed in 2019.
An experienced and hugely admired heart surgeon has died in an intensive care unit in Wales after testing positive for Covid-19.
Jitendra Rathod, 58, and a father of two died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on Monday.
Rathod was an associate specialist in cardio-thoracic surgery at the hospital in the Welsh capital. He is thought to be the first health worker in Wales to die following a Covid-19 diagnosis.
Will Walden, a friend of Boris Johnson and his former director of communications during his time as London mayor, says the prime minister is conscious but the worsening of his condition yesterday shocked Number 10.
Speaking to BBC News after a briefing from Johnson’s aides this morning, Walden said:
Walden said Johnson was physically strong but a difficult patient.
He said:
General Sir Nick Carter, chief of the defence staff, insisted there was a clear chain of command for the armed forces while the prime minister remains in intensive care.General Sir Nick Carter, chief of the defence staff, insisted there was a clear chain of command for the armed forces while the prime minister remains in intensive care.
He told Today:He told Today:
Sir Nick said he believed Raab would chair the NSC and be supported by others.Sir Nick said he believed Raab would chair the NSC and be supported by others.
Lord Heseltine, who served as deputy prime minister under John Major, has joined calls for great clarity about Raab’s role.Lord Heseltine, who served as deputy prime minister under John Major, has joined calls for great clarity about Raab’s role.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Heseltine said there “isn’t a clarity” about what Raab can do as deputy, noting:Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Heseltine said there “isn’t a clarity” about what Raab can do as deputy, noting:
Boris Johnson remains in intensive care but without the need for a ventilator as Dominic Raab prepares for his first day in charge of the country, Michael Gove has said.Boris Johnson remains in intensive care but without the need for a ventilator as Dominic Raab prepares for his first day in charge of the country, Michael Gove has said.
In a move to reassure the public, Gove said the government was functioning well without the prime minister, who was admitted to St Thomas’ hospital on Sunday night.In a move to reassure the public, Gove said the government was functioning well without the prime minister, who was admitted to St Thomas’ hospital on Sunday night.
The Cabinet Office minister said Johnson has “followed medical advice” at all times, after concerns that the prime minister had still been working and in charge from his hospital bed until 7pm on Monday.The Cabinet Office minister said Johnson has “followed medical advice” at all times, after concerns that the prime minister had still been working and in charge from his hospital bed until 7pm on Monday.
In a round of broadcast interviews, Gove said Johnson was fit, enjoyed tennis and has a “zest and appetite for life”, so it was “naturally concerning” how ill he was with coronavirus.In a round of broadcast interviews, Gove said Johnson was fit, enjoyed tennis and has a “zest and appetite for life”, so it was “naturally concerning” how ill he was with coronavirus.
St Thomas’ hospital sources have told the Times that Johnson was not put on a ventilator but did require 4 litres of oxygen. The following account tallies with what Gove told the Today programme:St Thomas’ hospital sources have told the Times that Johnson was not put on a ventilator but did require 4 litres of oxygen. The following account tallies with what Gove told the Today programme:
The Guardian has been told that a hospital bed was being prepared for Johnson as early as last Thursday:The Guardian has been told that a hospital bed was being prepared for Johnson as early as last Thursday:
Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP who chairs the defence committee, has called for greater clarity from the government about who now has responsibility for national security decisions.Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP who chairs the defence committee, has called for greater clarity from the government about who now has responsibility for national security decisions.
Gove stressed that any decision to ease the current lockdown arrangements would be made by the cabinet not unilaterally by Raab. He said:Gove stressed that any decision to ease the current lockdown arrangements would be made by the cabinet not unilaterally by Raab. He said:
Gove refused to answers questions about whether Dominic Raab had been handed responsibilities for defence in case the UK came under attack while Johnson in intensive care.Gove refused to answers questions about whether Dominic Raab had been handed responsibilities for defence in case the UK came under attack while Johnson in intensive care.
Gove said: “I simply can’t talk about national security matters. There are well developed protocols which are in place and which have been tested robustly over time.”Gove said: “I simply can’t talk about national security matters. There are well developed protocols which are in place and which have been tested robustly over time.”
Here’s a fuller transcript of what Gove told the Today programme about Johnson’s condition:Here’s a fuller transcript of what Gove told the Today programme about Johnson’s condition:
Do you know whether he’s on a ventilator or not?Do you know whether he’s on a ventilator or not?
Do you know whether their diagnosis at the moment is that he does have pneumonia?Do you know whether their diagnosis at the moment is that he does have pneumonia?
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has paid tribute to a heart surgeon at Wales’ largest hospital, who has died after testing positive for Covid-19.
Jitendra Rathod, an associate specialist in cardio-thoracic surgery at the University Hospital of Wales, died in the general intensive care ward at the Cardiff site. Drakeford said Rathod was a very senior and highly regarded doctor.
In a tribute on its website the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said “Jitu” was “an incredibly dedicated surgeon who cared deeply for his patients”, adding: “He was well-liked and greatly respected by one and all.”
The health board said he had worked in the department of cardio-thoracic surgery since the mid-1990s and had a brief stint abroad before returning in 2006.
The tribute added: “He was very compassionate and a wonderful human being. His commitment to the specialism was exemplary. He is survived by his wife and two sons. We will miss him greatly.”
“The prime minister is not on a ventilator”, Gove told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He added: “He has received oxygen support.”
He said he was “not aware” whether Johnson had been diagnosed with pneumonia.
Gove also revealed that, like Dominic Raab, he has not spoken to Johnson since he was taken to hospital in Sunday.
He said:
Gove also insisted that Johnson has been working less, on doctors’ orders, since being diagnosed with coronavirus. He said:
Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, has given no new updates on the prime minister’s condition.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Gove said: “As we speak the prime minister is in intensive care being looked after by his medical team receiving the very, very best care from the team in St Thomas’ and our hopes and prayers are with him and with his family.”
He added: “The prime minister loves this country, he is someone who always wants to be doing his best, driving things forward, making a difference for the better. We all hope he can be restored to health as quickly as possible.”
Here are some of the best wishes sent to Johnson by his fellow world leaders:
There has been “no change” in Boris Johnson’s condition, according to Reuters citing two sources close to him.
Johnson was given oxygen on Monday and taken to an intensive care unit at St Thomas’ hospital.
The shadow health secretary, Jon Ashworth, has wished the prime minister a speedy recovery.
Speaking to the Today programme, he said:
Will Walden, a friend of Boris Johnson and his former director of communications during his time as London mayor, said the prime minister is a “really, really strong guy” and “far fitter than he looks”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Walden said:
The sharp decline in Boris Johnson’s health makes for a series of grave front pages on Tuesday.
The Times’ headline reads “PM in intensive care” and reports on sources saying that Johnson needed four litres of oxygen. The papers says this is well below the normal threshold of 15 litres and suggests the prime minister’s case is not as serious as some admitted to ICU.
The Mirror says “Sick Boris faces fight for life” across a picture of a pallid-looking Johnson taken from a government video last week. It agrees that the PM’s illness “raises some awkward questions” for the way the country is being run and says cabinet ministers will never be forgiven if they are seen to be scoring points off each other in a fight for a potential succession.
Welcome to our UK coronavirus live blog as we wait for news about the condition of Boris Johnson.
The prime minister spent a night being treated in intensive care at St Thomas’ hospital after his coronavirus symptoms worsened. He was moved as a precaution so he could be close to a ventilator, but there has been no indication so far that he has been put on a ventilator – a process that would require hime being sedated.
The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, is currently standing in for Johnson and has vowed to follow set by the prime minister.
Johnson was understood to be conscious when he was moved to intensive care at about 7pm.
Derek Hill, professor of medical imaging at University College London , said the PM could be given a breathing aid known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) which bridges the gap between an oxygen mask and full ventilation.
CPAP uses pressure to send a blend of air and oxygen into the mouth at a steady rate, thereby boosting the amount of oxygen that enters the lungs.
But Prof Hill said many Covid-19 patients eventually “progress to invasive ventilation”. This is for people whose illness is so severe they are struggling or unable to breathe for themselves.
A mechanical ventilator either does all the breathing for the patient, or assists the patient’s own breathing. The patient is heavily sedated while a device called an endotracheal tube is guided through the mouth into the windpipe.
The death rate of those admitted to intensive care in the UK with Covid-19 has topped 50%, according to the latest figures.
The figure comes from data compiled by the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre based on a sample of 2,249 coronavirus patients.
The data showed of the 690 patients in the sample whose care outcomes were known, 346 - 50.1% - had died, while 344 had been discharged.
The remaining patients, 1,559, were reported still to be in critical care.The data shows that of 2,248 patients, 73% were men and 27% were women.