UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Admitted to Hospital Over COVID-19

Spokesperson says he's being hospitalized as a precaution 'for tests'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the CCP virus in London, UK, on March 3, 2020. (Frank Augstein/Pool via Reuters)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken to the hospital for tests, coming just days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19, according to his office, which said the move is precautionary.

Johnson is one of nearly 48,000 UK residents to have contracted the potentially fatal CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, a novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19.

A Downing Street spokeswoman told UK news outlets: "On the advice of his doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests."

The spokeswoman added that Johnson, 55, has "continue[d] to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus," while stressing that his hospitalization was precautionary.

"The Prime Minister thanks [National Health Service] 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," the statement read.

Johnson was diagnosed with the CCP virus on March 27 and was showing mild symptoms at the time, the government said. Johnson had informed his social media followers that he had mild symptoms before he tested positive.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the telephone to Queen Elizabeth II for her Weekly Audience during the CCP virus pandemic at 10 Downing Street in London, England on March 25, 2020. (Andrew Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The symptoms included a fever and a persistent cough, he said.

“I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video conference as we fight this virus,” Johnson said at the time.

Several days ago, the prime minister posted a video message on Twitter saying that he was feeling better.

“In my own case, although I’m feeling better and I have done my seven days of isolation, alas, I still have one of the minor symptoms... a temperature," said Johnson, who appeared to be sick in the video posted on April 3. “So, in accordance with government advice, I must continue my self-isolation until that symptom itself goes.”

Johnson on March 23 ordered a country-wide lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

And on April 4, Johnson's fiance wrote that she is recovering.

“I’ve spent the past week in bed with the main symptoms of coronavirus,” Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant, wrote on Twitter Saturday. “I haven’t needed to be tested and, after seven days of rest, I feel stronger and I’m on the mend.”

Symonds, who became engaged to Johnson last year, said she is anxious about having the CCP virus while pregnant.

“Being pregnant with Covid-19 is obviously worrying. To other pregnant women, please do read and follow the most up to date guidance which I found to be reassuring,” she wrote.