Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital for tests, 10 days after being diagnosed with coronavirus, Downing Street confirmed tonight.

The Prime Minister has been confined in isolation after being diagnosed with the killer bug - which is said to have hit him "like a sledgehammer".

His pregnant fiancée, Carrie Symonds, 32, has also been suffering with coronavirus symptoms and spent the past week in bed.

Boris, 55, last week insisted he was feeling better, but insiders said the disease "had really slammed him".

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “On the advice of his doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests.

“This is a precautionary step, as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus ten days after testing positive for the virus.

For the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, click here. For an updated story on Boris Johnson's situation click here.

(Image: PA)

“The Prime Minister thanks NHS staff for all of their incredible hard work and urges the public to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”

Mr Johnson is in a London NHS hospital, where he will remain as long as necessary, Sky News reports.

GP Dr Sarah Jarvis told the BBC it is likely the PM has "moderate" symptoms of coronavirus.

"The majority of people who develop coronavirus will have mild symptoms - that's probably 80% or so," she said.

"The older you become the more likely it is that you will become severely unwell with this.

"There is a severe stage, a moderate stage and a critical stage."

Dr Jarvis, who is not Mr Johnson's doctor, added: "Given he is staying in charge of the Government, that suggests to me that he probably has moderate disease but that, as a precaution, he is being taken in to check the oxygen levels in his blood, to do X-rays and probably scans of his chest.

"And to do blood tests to see for instance what his white cell counts look like and what his liver functions look like."

As news of the Prime Minister's admission broke, new Labour Party leader Keir Starmer posted on Twitter: "Wishing the Prime Minister well and a speedy recovery."

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is likely to chair the daily Covid-19 meeting tomorrow morning for ministers and officials in the Prime Minister's absence.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

In a video message Mr Johnson posted on social media on Thursday last week, the leader insisted he is feeling better despite a high temperature.

But a source told Daily Mail: "It has hit him hard, really slammed him but it's in his nature to put the bravest face on it."

It is also said the internal doors between No 10 and No 11 have been closed.

Officials have even moved tables against them to block them completely.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Food is reportedly brought on a tray from No 10 and left outside the ground floor office in No 11 which the Prime Minister is using.

Earlier today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Mr Johnson is “in good spirits” despite his extended coronavirus self-isolation.

BORIS JOHNSON: MATT HANCOCK GIVES AN UPDATE ON PM 'S HEALTH

“I’ve been talking to him every day, often several times a day, throughout this, throughout the time that both of us were off and so he has very much got his hand on the tiller but he has still got a temperature,” he told Sky News.

“I was lucky, I had two pretty rough days and then I bounced back and some people do get it pretty mildly, and then for others it’s very, very serious and the Prime Minister is not at that end of the spectrum.

(Image: Peter Summers)

“He’s working away inside Downing Street.”

Experts warn that a patient suffering a temperature for eight days could be at risk of pneumonia.

Labour MP Jess Phillips sent her regards to Mr Johnson and his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds.

“Sending regards to the Prime Minister and his family and friends especially to Carrie, it must be such a worry,” Ms Phillips tweeted.

Jeremy Hunt tweeted: "Thoughts with Boris Johnson this evening.

"Whatever political persuasion the whole country is united in wanting our PM to get fit and well as soon as possible."

Johnny Mercer, the Conservative MP for Plymouth, Moor View, tweeted a picture of himself with the Prime Minister with the message "Get well soon mate" followed by a red heart.

And Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom tweeted: "Praying for a speedy recovery for our Prime Minister."

Show more

Jonathan Ashworth also said: "I send my very best wishes to Boris Johnson and his family tonight for a swift recovery.

"I know the NHS will deliver brilliant care with exceptional professional. We all look forward to seeing the Prime Minister healthy and well again."