British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's condition is improving and he is able to sit up in bed and engage with clinical staff, finance minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday as Johnson remained in intensive care battling COVID-19.
Johnson was admitted to St Thomas' hospital on Sunday evening with a persistent high temperature and cough and was transferred to intensive care on Monday.
The 55-year-old British leader, who tested positive for the new coronavirus nearly two weeks ago, has received oxygen support but has not been put on a ventilator.
"The latest from the hospital is that the prime minister remains in intensive care where his condition is improving," Sunak said at a daily government coronavirus news conference.
"I can also tell you that he has been sitting up in bed and been engaging positively with the clinical team."
Later, Downing Street issued a brief statement, expected to be the last update on Johnson's condition until Thursday. "The Prime Minister continues to make steady progress. He remains in intensive care," it said.