U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson "continues to improve," his spokesman said Thursday, after spending a third night in intensive care with coronavirus.
Speaking to journalists, the spokesman also said Johnson had a good night and is "in good spirits." The prime minister, who is currently at at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, has been receiving "standard oxygen treatment," indicating that he is not on a ventilator.
Culture Minister Oliver Dowden earlier Thursday commented on Johnson's condition, telling the BBC that Johnson is "stable, improving, sat up and engaged with medical staff," adding: "I think things are getting better for him."
Johnson's battle in hospital comes as the U.K. reported on Wednesday its largest daily rise in deaths so far — 938 fatalities — raising the overall death toll to 7,097 people.
The government's emergency committee are convening Thursday to discuss lockdown measures and to review scientific data around the spread of the coronavirus in the U.K. since restrictions on public life were introduced in late March.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, is currently deputizing for Johnson and will chair the meeting.
Almost all businesses remain closed, except for those deemed essential, and the public have been told to stay at home unless they need to buy food, fetch medicine or exercise once a day.
Johnson, 55, was moved to the intensive care unit at St. Thomas' Hospital on Monday evening after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.
He announced on March 27 that he had tested positive for COVID-19, but wasn't admitted to hospital until Sunday for "tests" due to persistent symptoms of the virus, including a cough and a fever.
Sunak said Wednesday that Johnson's infection showed COVID-19 was an "indiscriminate" disease that is impacting people across the U.K. He offered support for the prime minister, who he called his "friend," and said "my thoughts are with him and his family."
Johnson was the first world leader to contract the coronavirus and his admission to intensive care has shocked many. On Tuesday, he was sent best wishes from leaders in Europe, and President Donald Trump, who called him a "very good friend."
— CNBC's Ryan Browne contributed reporting to this story.