British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to intensive care in a central London hospital, Downing Street said on Monday evening.

Johnson, 55, was taken to hospital late on Sunday, 10 days after being diagnosed with COVID-19 Coronavirus.

On Monday his office said he was 'in good spirits' and still seeing red (ministerial) boxes.

But in the evening it said his condition had deteriorated and he was moved to intensive care as a precaution.

"Since Sunday evening, the prime minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas' Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus," Johnson's office said.

"Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital."

"The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."

Before being moved to intensive care he phoned Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab asking him to deputise for him.

Media reported that Johnson was not on a ventilator, although one was available.

President George Vella tweeted his best wishes to Johnson on Monday afternoon. He was followed by Prime Minister Robert Abela as Johnson was taken to intensive care.

St Thomas Hospital, where Boris Johnson is being treated.St Thomas Hospital, where Boris Johnson is being treated.

The British government was criticised for initially refusing to follow other European countries in requiring people to stay home as the virus spread.

Johnson himself said in early March that he was still shaking hands with people.

But two weeks ago he ordered a nationwide lockdown and Britain is now in the grip of a serious outbreak. 

Over 50,000 cases and more than 5,000 deaths have been recorded in the UK so far, with a latest daily toll of 439.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, have both been infected with coronavirus, although they have since recovered.

In response to the crisis, Queen Elizabeth II made a rare public address on Sunday night, evoking the spirit of World War II and urging Britons to stay united.

"We will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again," she said.

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