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Fears have been raised over Boris Johnson's health after a top doctor warned that it was "very likely" the Prime Minister would end up on ventilation after he was sent to intensive care.

Mr Johnson remains conscious in the intensive care unit of St Thomas' Hospital, but received oxygen overnight and through the day yesterday.

Having been in hospital for tests and observation, his doctors advised that he be admitted to intensive care on Monday evening.

Mr Johnson is understood to be conscious and was moved to intensive care at about 7pm as a precaution should he require ventilation to aid his recovery.

His condition is not thought to have changed overnight, sources close to the PM have said this morning.

And a top doctor has warned that Mr Johnson's condition could get worse.

(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Professor Derek Hill, professor of medical imaging, University College London (UCL), said it was "very likely" Mr Johnson would be put on a mechanical ventilator in intensive care.

He said: "It seems clear that the Prime Minister went to hospital because he had difficulty breathing. It seems he was initially put on oxygen, and was conscious.

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"But as often happens with Covid-19, his condition has now deteriorated so he has been admitted to intensive care where he is very likely to have been put on a mechanical ventilator to breathe for him."

Mr Johnson, 55, was admitted to St Thomas' hospital in central London on Sunday after his coronavirus symptoms persisted for 10 days.

(Image: WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) (Image: FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will "deputise where necessary", a Number 10 spokesman said.

A Number 10 spokesman 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 has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.

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

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said on Monday morning that Mr Johnson had been taken to hospital on the advice of his doctor and as a "precaution", and that it was not an emergency admission.

It came just a few hours after Mr Raab told a press briefing that the PM remained in charge of the Government despite remaining under observation.

At a press conference less than two hours before the decision was made, Mr Raab told a press briefing that the PM remained in charge of the Government despite remaining under observation.

(Image: PA)

Earlier in the afternoon, Mr Johnson tweeted: "Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I'm still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. I'm in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe.

"I'd like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain."

At the daily Number 10 news conference on Monday Mr Raab faced repeated questions as to how Mr Johnson could cope with demands of the premiership if he was sick enough to require hospital treatment.

Downing Street, which had previously described his symptoms as "mild", switched to describing them as "persistent".

They included a cough as well as a continuing high temperature, 10 days after he first tested positive for the coronavirus.

Mr Raab said he had last spoken to the PM on Saturday - almost 48 hours before being sent to brief the nation his well-being and efforts to tackle Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the latest official figures showed 5,373 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday - an increase of 439 on the previous day.

Responding to the news, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Terribly sad news. All the country's thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family during this incredibly difficult time."

And Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: "My thoughts tonight are with @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds. I know he'll be getting the best care possible and will come out of this even stronger."