A heavily-pregnant Carrie Symonds sent her fiancee, Boris Johnson, letters and baby scans to keep his spirits up while he was being treated for coronavirus in intensive care, reports say.

Ms Symonds, who is seven months pregnant, sent the prime minister daily updates and ultrasound images of their unborn child as he fought to recover from Covid-19 at St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.

A Downing Street source confirmed their correspondence to the PA news agency. According to a report in The Sun, the couple have not seen each other since Mr Johnson was admitted to hospital last Sunday.

The source was quoted as saying: "It’s been a very, very worrying time for Carrie. She has been urging Boris to get well for their unborn child.”

Ms Symonds herself has also been ill with symptoms persistent with those of Covid-19, but has not been tested.

The environmental activist joined in on the weekly tribute to NHS workers, tweeting a series of clapping emojis just after 8pm on Thursday. She also posted a photo of a rainbow, a symbol of the country’s gratitude to NHS workers while the coronavirus crisis continues.

Just a day after Mr Johnson was admitted to hospital last week, he was transferred to intensive care as his condition deteriorated.

He left intensive care on Thursday and is now continuing his recovery in a hospital ward.

“The prime minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest, as part of the care he is receiving to aid his recovery,” said a Downing Street spokesperson on Friday.

“He has spoken to his doctors and thanks the whole clinical team for the incredible care he has received. His thoughts are with those affected by this terrible disease.”

A spokeswoman on Saturday said Mr Johnson is making “very good progress”. He has reportedly been keeping himself entertained by watching films and playing Sudoku.

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His father, Stanley Johnson, said the PM should “take time” to fully recover from the highly-contagious disease that has infected 78,991 people in the UK and claimed 9,875 lives as of Saturday.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday that Boris Johnson “must rest up” and he is not “out of the woods” just yet.