U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care with coronavirus but his condition is now improving, the government said Wednesday.

Johnson is receiving "excellent care" at St Thomas' Hospital in London where he is being treated, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said at the government's daily press briefing.

"The latest from the hospital is that the prime minister remains in intensive care where his condition is improving," Sunak said.

"I can also tell you that he has been sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the clinical team."

A spokesman for Johnson had said earlier in the day that the prime minister was responding to treatment in the hospital. The spokesman said the U.K. leader is "not working" but has the ability to contact those he needs to reach.

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, is currently deputizing for Johnson.