Update (1745ET): And just like that, a terrible situation has gotten even more precarious. A professor of medical imaging at University College London warned that it's "very likely" Johnson will be placed on a ventilator. As we noted below, patients' life expectancy drops dramatically once placed on a ventilator.

It will also render him unable to govern, as he will need to be placed in a medically-induced coma.

NEW: 'Very likely' PM Boris Johnson will go on ventilator, says Derek Hill, professor of medical imaging at UCL. — Norbert Elekes (@NorbertElekes) April 6, 2020

To be sure, it's not exactly clear what the professor is basing this on, so take it with a grain of salt for the moment...but it is a credible source. Others on twitter have already questioned why the doctor has chosen to make this call.

It is likely that Boris Johnson will be put on a ventilator according to Professor Derek Hill at UCL #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/KWogMyjiTS — UK Citizens Pandemic Action Group (Covid-19) (@uk_pandemic) April 6, 2020

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Update (1525ET): Perhaps after witnessing the drop in the pound, No. 10 Downing Street has released some more information about Johnson's condition. HMG said Johnson is conscious, and that he was moved to the ICU "as a precaution."

Although we suspect many patients who haven't pulled through have been told the same thing. Fortunately for BoJo, he's the PM, and thus an extremely high priority patient.

Fortunately, Johnson is conscious (assuming he isn't already being "Weekend at Bernies"-ed), and as long as he stays that way, his odds of survival should remain strong.

Remember, the most important factor here is whether or not Johnson has been moved to a ventilator. The fact that Downing Street is saying he's still conscious suggests he hasn't been placed on ventilation, since most patients are placed in a medically-induced coma before that happens (it's difficult to tolerate being intubated while conscious).

Even in the most sophisticated hospitals in the world, once a patient is placed on a ventilator, their chances of survival shrink dramatically. NPR reminds us that most patients placed on a ventilator "still die" (mortality rates can soar to 80%, or higher, for the most high-risk patients). Ventilators can also increase the likelihood that a patient develops a dangerous secondary bacterial infection like we described below. These types of secondary infections are often what ultimately what kills a high-risk patient.

ITV's Robert Peston added that Johnson did receive some oxygen support earlier on Monday, an indication that he has had some trouble breathing at times.

The prime minister has had oxygen support today. He has been moved to intensive care in case he needs to be on a ventilator. As for @DominicRaab, he won’t be called temporary PM, but that is what he will be, to all intents and purposes. — Robert Peston (@Peston) April 6, 2020

This is the kind of story where it is hard to find the right words. The bald facts are profoundly upsetting. But to state the obvious, all of us desperately hope @BorisJohnson makes a rapid and full recovery. — Robert Peston (@Peston) April 6, 2020

Johnson tested positive late last month, and was hospitalized on Sunday. Raab is ready to stand in for Johnson "if necessary", but the UK has no clear plan for succession of Johnson were to pass away.

Here's more from Reuters:



Johnson is being treated at an undisclosed London Hospital (the identity is being kept secret for his protection). US President Trump offered encouragement to Johnson during Sunday’s White House briefing, saying “all Americans are praying for him.”

British authorities have said they will not be giving regular updates on Johnson's condition, and some reporters pointed out that Johnson apparently hasn't spoke to Raab, his stand-in should things go south, since Saturday. Andrew Neil tweeted "something not right here" earlier.

Without regular updates, we suspect information will likely trickle out in via leaks to the most well-connected political journalists.

* * *

After being admitted to the hospital over the weekend, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been taken to intensive care as his condition has apparently worsened dramatically overnight.

Dominic Raab has now been deputized to lead Britain in his place.

The Prime Minister has been taken to intensive care — Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) April 6, 2020

PM is asking Dominic Raab to deputise for him — Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) April 6, 2020

The news sent GBP/USD tumbling into the red on the day.

In a video message he delivered to the British people on Friday, BoJo looked extremely pale and feverish, his skin glistening with sweat, but although he sounded a bit hoarse, he didn't appear to be having any trouble breathing. Downing Street has described his condition as "worsening."

Remember, the thing that makes COVID-19 infections so deadly for some patients is that they can sometimes trigger a secondary bacterial infections in the lungs that lead to the destruction of lung tissue that the body simply cannot repair, or replace.

The news of BoJo's condition is nothing short of a thunderbolt for the UK press, who will be holding a 24-hour BoJo death watch until he recovers. Of course, Britain has plenty of medical resources available to treat him, and although his condition has worsened, we suspect that doctors would be more willing to move a patient of critical importance to national security to the ICU sooner than some poor shmuck who just stumbled in the door of the nearest NHS hospital.