I BOJO YOU SO MUCH
GRATEFUL Boris Johnson heaped praise on medics and nurses as he was moved out of intensive care.
The PM was said to be in “extremely good spirits” and back on a normal ward at St Thomas’ in London.
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The PM’s progress came as a massive morale boost to the nation as we enter the key Easter period in the fight against coronavirus.
A No10 spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery.
"He is in extremely good spirits.
Officials believe the infection rate could peak on Easter Sunday.
But it is critical that Brits observe the lockdown and stay home through 25C (77F) temperatures.
TURN THE TIDE
The Government hopes that would enable the country to turn the tide within three weeks.
Mr Johnson, 55, passed a message back to No10 from hospital yesterday.
His official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister thanks the NHS for the brilliant care which it is providing.
“The claps for carers have provided wonderful, unifying moments for the entire country.
“I’m sure that tonight we will once again see people in their millions paying tribute to our fantastic dedicated care workers.”
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It also emerged last night that Boris was well enough to make quick calls to his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, 32, and his family.
Doctors handed his two mobile phones back to him.
The birth of his child with Carrie is only weeks away and the couple have been apart since he went into isolation on March 27.
Relieved fiancée Carrie Symonds posted a picture of a rainbow with clapping emojis after the good news, timing it for the 8pm Clap for Carers this evening.
'SICK WITH WORRY'
Senior Tory allies and aides in No10 were relieved last night with one admitting they had all been “feeling pretty sick with worry” for Mr Johnson.
The PM’s recovery marks an extraordinary turnaround from the dire straits he faced just 72 hours ago.
After a terrifying initial 24 hours in hospital, hope had been growing in No10 since Wednesday that the PM was on the road to recovery.
Senior aides had feared the worst on Monday night because of Boris’s extraordinarily rapid descent.
He seriously struggled to breathe, with doctors warning it was likely he would have to go on to a ventilator if his condition worsened any more.
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But they held back, after managing to stabilise him with just the use of oxygen.
And two days on, Chancellor Rishi Sunak declared his Downing Street next door neighbour was well enough to sit up in bed.
Donald Trump took to Twitter to pass on his best wishes to the recovering Prime Minister.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said that Boris's vast improvement was "good news" and said he "hoped it was the beginnings of a speedy recovery".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock paid tribute to the NHS as Boris left the ICU.
In a tweet he said: “So good that the Prime Minister is out of intensive care and on the road to recovery. The NHS is there for us all and I know our amazing NHS staff have given him their characteristic world-class care.”
Minutes after the news was announced, US President Donald Trump voiced his delight.
He tweeted to say: “Great News: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has just been moved out of Intensive Care. Get well Boris!!!”
UK politicians from across the divide united to express their relief.
Tory grandee Iain Duncan Smith said: “It really is great news, and is the most wonderful news going into what is likely to be a difficult Easter weekend.
I knew he would pull through, he is a fighter, and the whole country will be smiling and resting easy now that he is OK.
Iain Duncan Smith
“I knew he would pull through, he is a fighter, and the whole country will be smiling and resting easy now that he is OK.
“I would imagine it will be a little while before he’s as strong as before but he can now move on.”
Former Chancellor Sajid Javid simply tweeted: “Thank goodness.”
Trade Secretary Liz Truss added: “Brilliant news PM is out of ICU!”
And Zac Goldsmith, a good pal of his fiancée Carrie Symonds, simply said: “Hooray!”
Deputy Speaker and Tory MP Nigel Evans tweeted last night: “Great news Boris — we are all behind you ! Get totally well and back on the job xx”
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Labour frontbencher David Lammy said: “Pleased Boris Johnson has been moved out of intensive care.
“The whole country is willing him on to make a full recovery as soon as possible.”
Mr Johnson could be out of action for several weeks.
Doctors said he was still in the early stages of recovery.
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Opposition leader Keir Starmer says he's 'very pleased' Boris Johnson is out of intensive care