news--2020-04-05--Coronavirus: Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted to hospital for COVID-19 tests

Boris Johnson has spent the night in a central London hospital after being admitted for tests 10 days after confirming he had the coronavirus .
The prime minister , 55 , still has persistent coronavirus symptoms and went on the advice of his doctor , Downing Street said .
His persistent symptoms are understood to include a high temperature .
A spokesperson confirmed his admission was a precautionary rather than emergency measure and added he `` thanks NHS staff for all of their incredible hard work '' .
They also urged the public to `` continue to follow the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the NHS and save lives '' .
The prime minister travelled , without the need for an ambulance , to the hospital at 8pm on Sunday and is understood to still be leading the government response to the COVID-19 outbreak .
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News that Mr Johnson `` remains very much in charge of the government '' and added : `` I expect he 'll be able to return to Number 10 shortly . ''
GP Dr Ellie Cannon told Sky News that still being ill at 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he still has symptoms '' , adding : `` Until you are fully better you are not out of the woods . ''
Politicians from all sides have sent get-well messages to the PM .
At the start of his regular White House news briefing on COVID-19 , US president Donald Trump passed on his nation 's best wishes .
`` All Americans are praying for him , '' Mr Trump said .
`` He 's a great friend of mine .
I 'm sure he is going to be fine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong person . ''
Labour 's new leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted : `` Wishing the Prime Minister well and a speedy recovery . ''
Labour MP David Lammy wrote : `` Get well soon @ BorisJohnson .
The whole country wants you to return to full health as soon as possible . ''
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon wished the PM `` all the best and a speedy recovery '' while Lib Dem MP Layla Moran tweeted `` wishing @ BorisJohnson a speedy recovery '' and encouraged people to give Mr Johnson time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also sent her regards to Mr Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds , who is pregnant with the couple 's first child .
Ms Symonds , 32 , announced on Saturday she had spent a week in bed with coronavirus symptoms but struck an optimistic tone , saying : `` I have n't needed to be tested and , after seven days of rest , I feel stronger and I 'm on the mend . ''
Mr Johnson has been self-isolating in 11 Downing Street since testing positive on 27 March ; he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office as several prime ministers have in the past given it has a larger living space .
He posted a video message on Friday urging people to `` stick with '' the lockdown measures .
: : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Johnson remains `` in charge of the government '' and in contact with ministerial colleagues and officials despite his hospital admission , a spokesman said .
But Dominic Raab , the foreign secretary and designated minister who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is incapacitated , will chair the government 's daily emergency coronavirus committee meeting known as C-19 on Monday morning .
There have been glimpses of Mr Johnson looking tired in his social media messages and on the steps of Downing Street for the national applause to key workers .
He appeared progressively worse for wear the last time he was seen on Friday in a video urging people to stay home and not to break social distancing rules as the weather warmed up .
In it , he confirmed he still had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19 at the heart of government when a health minister contracted it after attending a Downing Street reception .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock also last week tested positive for the virus , but is now out of self-isolation having stayed at home for seven days .
He had given an update on the prime minister 's health , telling Sky News ' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme : `` He 's okay , I 've been talking to him every day , often several times a day ... '' It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` 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 . ''
One of the prime minister 's closest advisers on managing the coronavirus crisis , England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty , and his chief adviser , Dominic Cummings , have also been self-isolating with symptoms .
On Sunday it was confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracting coronavirus - taking the UK 's total to 4,934 .

Boris Johnson has spent the night in a central London hospital after being admitted for tests 10 days after confirming he had the coronavirus.
The prime minister, 55, still has persistent coronavirus symptoms and went on the advice of his doctor, Downing Street said.
His persistent symptoms are understood to include a high temperature.
A spokesperson confirmed his admission was a precautionary rather than emergency measure and added he "thanks NHS staff for all of their incredible hard work".
They also urged the public to "continue to follow the government's advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives".
The prime minister travelled, without the need for an ambulance, to the hospital at 8pm on Sunday and is understood to still be leading the government response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News that Mr Johnson "remains very much in charge of the government" and added: "I expect he'll be able to return to Number 10 shortly."
GP Dr Ellie Cannon told Sky News that still being ill at 10 days "is probably a red flag if he still has symptoms", adding: "Until you are fully better you are not out of the woods."
Politicians from all sides have sent get-well messages to the PM.
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At the start of his regular White House news briefing on COVID-19, US president Donald Trump passed on his nation's best wishes.
"All Americans are praying for him," Mr Trump said. "He's a great friend of mine. I'm sure he is going to be fine, he's a strong man, a strong person."
Labour's new leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Wishing the Prime Minister well and a speedy recovery."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 PM's first message from isolation: 'I can continue' with COVID-19
Labour MP David Lammy wrote: "Get well soon @BorisJohnson. The whole country wants you to return to full health as soon as possible."
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon wished the PM "all the best and a speedy recovery" while Lib Dem MP Layla Moran tweeted "wishing @BorisJohnson a speedy recovery" and encouraged people to give Mr Johnson time to recover.
Labour MP Jess Phillips also sent her regards to Mr Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant with the couple's first child.
Image: An MP sent their regards to the PM's partner Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant
Ms Symonds, 32, announced on Saturday she had spent a week in bed with coronavirus symptoms but struck an optimistic tone, saying: "I haven't needed to be tested and, after seven days of rest, I feel stronger and I'm on the mend."
Mr Johnson has been self-isolating in 11 Downing Street since testing positive on 27 March; he uses the residence above the chancellor's office as several prime ministers have in the past given it has a larger living space.
He posted a video message on Friday urging people to "stick with" the lockdown measures.
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Mr Johnson remains "in charge of the government" and in contact with ministerial colleagues and officials despite his hospital admission, a spokesman said.
But Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and designated minister who will take over if the prime minister is incapacitated, will chair the government's daily emergency coronavirus committee meeting known as C-19 on Monday morning.
There have been glimpses of Mr Johnson looking tired in his social media messages and on the steps of Downing Street for the national applause to key workers.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:24 The Queen's historic coronavirus address in full
He appeared progressively worse for wear the last time he was seen on Friday in a video urging people to stay home and not to break social distancing rules as the weather warmed up.
In it, he confirmed he still had a high temperature.
Fears were raised over the spread of COVID-19 at the heart of government when a health minister contracted it after attending a Downing Street reception.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:28 'US is praying for Boris. He's a friend of mine'
Health Secretary Matt Hancock also last week tested positive for the virus, but is now out of self-isolation having stayed at home for seven days.
He had given an update on the prime minister's health, telling Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: "He's okay, I've been talking to him every day, often several times a day...
"It shows this virus affects different people differently.
"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."
One of the prime minister's closest advisers on managing the coronavirus crisis, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, and his chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, have also been self-isolating with symptoms.
On Sunday it was confirmed another 621 hospital patients had died after contracting coronavirus - taking the UK's total to 4,934.


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: BBC newsreader Huw Edwards reveals he's been in hospital with pneumonia

BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has thanked NHS staff in a tweet revealing he has been in hospital with pneumonia , and says he will return to work this week .
The 58-year-old was treated at King 's College Hospital in London .
In the social media post , Mr Edwards told everyone to keep safe and asked people to obey the coronavirus lockdown .
The tweet , dated Sunday night , did not mention COVID-19 .
It attracted thousands of likes from well-wishers , as well as comments from fans , who were glad to see Mr Edwards had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historian Professor Kate Williams wrote : `` Oh no , you had this , so sorry and very glad to hear you 're feeling better ! ''
Sky News ' royal commentator Alastair Bruce said : `` Huw , really good news that you have conquered this vile pestilence and our thanks to those that fought with you .
# NHSHeroes '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes days after Mr Edward 's colleague George Alagiah revealed he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living with cancer has helped him get through .
Alagiah , 64 , was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014 and again in December 2017 .
The newsreader announced earlier this month that he would stop appearing on air from the studio following advice from doctors and colleagues , as cases of coronavirus started to dramatically increase in the UK .

BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has thanked NHS staff in a tweet revealing he has been in hospital with pneumonia, and says he will return to work this week.
The 58-year-old was treated at King's College Hospital in London.
In the social media post, Mr Edwards told everyone to keep safe and asked people to obey the coronavirus lockdown.
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The tweet, dated Sunday night, did not mention COVID-19.
It attracted thousands of likes from well-wishers, as well as comments from fans, who were glad to see Mr Edwards had recovered.
New York Times author and historian Professor Kate Williams wrote: "Oh no, you had this, so sorry and very glad to hear you're feeling better!"
Sky News' royal commentator Alastair Bruce said: "Huw, really good news that you have conquered this vile pestilence and our thanks to those that fought with you. #NHSHeroes".
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It comes days after Mr Edward's colleague George Alagiah revealed he had tested positive for coronavirus, but said living with cancer has helped him get through.
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Alagiah, 64, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014 and again in December 2017.
The newsreader announced earlier this month that he would stop appearing on air from the studio following advice from doctors and colleagues, as cases of coronavirus started to dramatically increase in the UK.


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: Doctors at Spain's largest hospital 'winning COVID-battle little by little'

Doctors at what is now Spain 's largest hospital have told Sky News they are winning the battle against the coronavirus `` little by little '' .
The IFEMA exhibition centre in Madrid has been rapidly converted into a frontline hospital in the COVID-19 fight .
It will soon have the capacity to treat 6,000 patients and in the massive hangars there are beds as far as the eye can see .
Medical director Antonio Zapatero said when the disease hit it was like a healthcare `` tsunami '' and last week 3,000 patients in the Madrid area alone were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now improving .
He said : `` We are winning this war but little by little .
It 's a very hard situation .
`` In my career in internal medicine I have n't seen any time I could suppose this would happen .
There are a lot of patients with complications and there is a mortality rate of seven or eight percent . ''
Fifty-year-old Jonan Basterra was taken to hospital 10 days ago .
Although he 's still under observation , he 's hoping to be discharged soon and told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's improving health situation was thanks to the strict lockdown measures even if it is at the expense of the economy .
He said : `` Lives are much more important than money .
Money we make it but lives do not return .
But between saving lives and saving the economy I think is pretty , pretty clear . ''
The daily grim statistics in Spain also bear out the crisis is slowly being brought under control .
In the last 24 hours , 637 people have died of COVID-19 bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13,055 .
They are still massive numbers but the number of dead has fallen for the fourth consecutive day in a row suggesting the so-called curve is starting to flatten .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Certainly health officials in the country and the government are optimistic .
But there is though no sign of complacency .
Spain 's lockdown , which is one of the strictest in Europe , has been extended until the end of April .
The majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't go out even for exercise .
Social living here is on hold for the moment .
Shouting from balcony to balcony is now the music of community life .
On street level , the capital is ghostly quiet , apart from essential shopping .
The day and night will be spent inside for most people .
Breaking the lockdown is a serious offence and throughout the day when we were filming we were stopped and our documents were checked to make sure we were legitimate key workers .
With nearly three weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is how can Spain - a country haunted by the coronavirus - reopen its economy without causing another spike in infections .
The government is leaning towards a gentle return to normal .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said some economic restrictions could soon be eased and some non-essential key workers allowed to return to work .
There 's also a desire to make wearing a mask in public mandatory but at the moment such a measure is unworkable as there is a national shortage .

Doctors at what is now Spain's largest hospital have told Sky News they are winning the battle against the coronavirus "little by little".
The IFEMA exhibition centre in Madrid has been rapidly converted into a frontline hospital in the COVID-19 fight.
It will soon have the capacity to treat 6,000 patients and in the massive hangars there are beds as far as the eye can see.
Medical director Antonio Zapatero said when the disease hit it was like a healthcare "tsunami" and last week 3,000 patients in the Madrid area alone were waiting for beds - but the situation is now improving.
He said: "We are winning this war but little by little. It's a very hard situation.
"In my career in internal medicine I haven't seen any time I could suppose this would happen. There are a lot of patients with complications and there is a mortality rate of seven or eight percent."
Image: The facility will soon have capacity to treat 6,000 patients
Fifty-year-old Jonan Basterra was taken to hospital 10 days ago.
Although he's still under observation, he's hoping to be discharged soon and told me, via videophone, that the country's improving health situation was thanks to the strict lockdown measures even if it is at the expense of the economy.
He said: "Lives are much more important than money. Money we make it but lives do not return. But between saving lives and saving the economy I think is pretty, pretty clear."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:02 The number of coronavirus deaths in Spain has fallen for the third day in a row.
The daily grim statistics in Spain also bear out the crisis is slowly being brought under control. In the last 24 hours, 637 people have died of COVID-19 bringing the total in the country up to 13,055.
They are still massive numbers but the number of dead has fallen for the fourth consecutive day in a row suggesting the so-called curve is starting to flatten.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Certainly health officials in the country and the government are optimistic.
But there is though no sign of complacency.
Spain's lockdown, which is one of the strictest in Europe, has been extended until the end of April.
The majority of Spaniards live in apartments and can't go out even for exercise.
Social living here is on hold for the moment.
Shouting from balcony to balcony is now the music of community life.
On street level, the capital is ghostly quiet, apart from essential shopping. The day and night will be spent inside for most people.
Breaking the lockdown is a serious offence and throughout the day when we were filming we were stopped and our documents were checked to make sure we were legitimate key workers.
With nearly three weeks of lockdown still left, the question now is how can Spain - a country haunted by the coronavirus - reopen its economy without causing another spike in infections.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:24 Elation as 94-year-old beats COVID-19 in Spain
The government is leaning towards a gentle return to normal.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said some economic restrictions could soon be eased and some non-essential key workers allowed to return to work.
There's also a desire to make wearing a mask in public mandatory but at the moment such a measure is unworkable as there is a national shortage.


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to intensive care after condition worsens

Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care after his condition worsened , Downing Street has said .
The prime minister was admitted to St Thomas ' Hospital in London on Sunday night - 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus - due to `` persistent '' symptoms of COVID-19 .
He was initially admitted for further tests but Mr Johnson 's health has since deteriorated , Number 10 said .
The prime minister , 55 , is understood to have experienced breathing difficulties on Monday afternoon and was given oxygen .
He remains conscious and has not been put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to intensive care as a precaution should he later need one .
The prime minister phoned Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to ask him to deputise `` where necessary '' , a request made before Mr Johnson was moved to intensive care .
The Queen has been kept informed of the developments , a Buckingham Palace source told Sky News .
Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill spoke to ministers on a conference call on Monday night shortly before the news of the prime minister 's health was announced .
One cabinet minister told Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and upsetting '' .
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 prime minister has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , who is the First Secretary of State , to deputise for him where necessary .
`` The prime minister is receiving excellent care , and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision to move the prime minister to intensive care was made around 7pm on Monday .
This came shortly after Mr Raab had said , at the government 's daily coronavirus briefing , that Mr Johnson was in `` good spirits '' after spending a `` comfortable '' night in hospital .
St Thomas ' is across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament .
Mr Johnson did not travel to the hospital by ambulance on Sunday night but travelled the short distance from Downing Street by `` private transportation '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said earlier on Monday .
The prime minister was said to have received his ministerial red box containing his official papers and was continuing to lead the government and work from his hospital bed during the day on Monday , before his condition worsened .
The prime minister 's pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds revealed at the weekend that she had spent a week in bed with coronavirus symptoms .
Mr Raab said there was an `` incredibly strong team spirit '' behind Mr Johnson , as he prepared to assume some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The government 's business will continue , '' the foreign secretary said .
`` The prime minister is in safe hands with that brilliant team at St Thomas ' hospital .
`` The focus of the government will continue to be on making sure that the prime minister 's direction - all the plans for making sure that we can defeat coronavirus and can pull the country through this challenge - will be taken forward . ''
Mr Raab chaired the daily morning meeting of the government 's coronavirus `` war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually led by Mr Johnson .
Tuesday 's usual full cabinet meeting has been postponed , but Mr Raab will again be expected to chair the daily COVID-19 conference call .
Dr Simon Clarke , a microbiologist at the University of Reading , told Sky News the prime minister was probably being supported with fluids in hospital .
`` The NHS , particularly at this moment , does n't give up intensive care beds just for people to be looked over - it does n't work like that , even for prime ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be in intensive care unless he needed to be in intensive care , especially not at this time . ''
World leaders and UK political party leaders all sent their wishes to the prime minister on Monday night .
Newly-elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the deterioration in Mr Johnson 's health was `` terribly sad news '' .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted : `` My thoughts are with the PM and his family - sending him every good wish . ''
London mayor Sadiq Khan said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's swift recovery '' .
He added St Thomas ' Hospital `` has some of the finest medical staff in the world , and he could n't be in safer hands '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May both sent their wishes to Mr Johnson .
`` Get well soon .
You are in great hands and we all want you safe , well and back in 10 Downing Street , '' Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May tweeted : `` My thoughts and prayers are with Boris Johnson and his family as he continues to receive treatment in hospital .
`` This horrific virus does not discriminate .
Anyone can get it .
Anyone can spread it .
Please # StayHomeSaveLives . ''
French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel also sent their wishes to Mr Johnson on social media , while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he sent `` a hug to all the British people '' .
US President Donald Trump sent his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mr Johnson .
`` We 're very saddened to hear that he was taken into intensive care this afternoon , a little while ago , '' he said .
`` Americans are all praying for his recovery , he 's been a really good friend , he 's been really something very special ; strong , resolute , does n't quit , does n't give up . ''

Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care after his condition worsened, Downing Street has said.
The prime minister was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London on Sunday night - 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus - due to "persistent" symptoms of COVID-19.
He was initially admitted for further tests but Mr Johnson's health has since deteriorated, Number 10 said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:29 'The PM's condition worsened' - Raab
The prime minister, 55, is understood to have experienced breathing difficulties on Monday afternoon and was given oxygen.
He remains conscious and has not been put on a ventilator, but was moved to intensive care as a precaution should he later need one.
The prime minister phoned Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to ask him to deputise "where necessary", a request made before Mr Johnson was moved to intensive care.
The Queen has been kept informed of the developments, a Buckingham Palace source told Sky News.
Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill spoke to ministers on a conference call on Monday night shortly before the news of the prime minister's health was announced.
One cabinet minister told Sky News the development was "deeply worrying and upsetting".
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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 prime minister has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.
"The prime minister is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:25 PM's video message from his virus isolation
It is understood the decision to move the prime minister to intensive care was made around 7pm on Monday.
This came shortly after Mr Raab had said, at the government's daily coronavirus briefing, that Mr Johnson was in "good spirits" after spending a "comfortable" night in hospital.
St Thomas' is across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament.
Mr Johnson did not travel to the hospital by ambulance on Sunday night but travelled the short distance from Downing Street by "private transportation", the prime minister's official spokesman said earlier on Monday.
The prime minister was said to have received his ministerial red box containing his official papers and was continuing to lead the government and work from his hospital bed during the day on Monday, before his condition worsened.
The prime minister's pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds revealed at the weekend that she had spent a week in bed with coronavirus symptoms.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:49 Trump's message to a 'very good friend' as Johnson in intensive care
Mr Raab said there was an "incredibly strong team spirit" behind Mr Johnson, as he prepared to assume some of the prime minister's duties on Monday night.
"The government's business will continue," the foreign secretary said. "The prime minister is in safe hands with that brilliant team at St Thomas' hospital.
"The focus of the government will continue to be on making sure that the prime minister's direction - all the plans for making sure that we can defeat coronavirus and can pull the country through this challenge - will be taken forward."
Mr Raab chaired the daily morning meeting of the government's coronavirus "war cabinet" on Monday, which is usually led by Mr Johnson.
Tuesday's usual full cabinet meeting has been postponed, but Mr Raab will again be expected to chair the daily COVID-19 conference call.
Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, told Sky News the prime minister was probably being supported with fluids in hospital.
"The NHS, particularly at this moment, doesn't give up intensive care beds just for people to be looked over - it doesn't work like that, even for prime ministers," he added.
"He would not be in intensive care unless he needed to be in intensive care, especially not at this time."
Image: Mr Johnson's pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds has also suffered coronavirus symptoms
World leaders and UK political party leaders all sent their wishes to the prime minister on Monday night.
Newly-elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the deterioration in Mr Johnson's health was "terribly sad news".
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "My thoughts are with the PM and his family - sending him every good wish."
London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "praying for the prime minister's swift recovery".
He added St Thomas' Hospital "has some of the finest medical staff in the world, and he couldn't be in safer hands".
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Former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May both sent their wishes to Mr Johnson.
"Get well soon. You are in great hands and we all want you safe, well and back in 10 Downing Street," Mr Cameron posted on Twitter.
And Mrs May tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers are with Boris Johnson and his family as he continues to receive treatment in hospital.
"This horrific virus does not discriminate. Anyone can get it. Anyone can spread it. Please #StayHomeSaveLives."
French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel also sent their wishes to Mr Johnson on social media, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he sent "a hug to all the British people".
US President Donald Trump sent his wishes to his "very good friend" Mr Johnson.
"We're very saddened to hear that he was taken into intensive care this afternoon, a little while ago," he said.
"Americans are all praying for his recovery, he's been a really good friend, he's been really something very special; strong, resolute, doesn't quit, doesn't give up."


news--2020-04-05--Coronavirus: Is Andrew Cuomo the one to take on Trump for the presidency amid COVID-19 crisis?

His supporters are starting to think he is the man to take on Donald Trump for the presidency later this year , despite not being in the race .
His enemies , and there are many , criticise him as abrasive , brusque and believe he eschews core Democrat principles .
Such is his checkered reputation , that it 's rumoured Andrew Cuomo did n't throw his name into the current presidential race on the advice of many party members who told him he would never have the support needed .
And yet he has become the man of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calm and reason that has won him the prime-time spotlight with the president himself .
One poll reckons 87 % of New Yorkers like the way Cuomo 's handled the coronavirus crisis .
The New York Post has dubbed it `` Cuomentum '' .
Cuomo is part of the establishment .
His father Mario was the 52nd Governor of New York , his first wife was the daughter of Bobby Kennedy and his younger brother Chris is an anchor for CNN .
His daily televised news conferences have become appointment-to-view .
US television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost unheard of for a state governor , and it 's reported the White House changed the time of their daily television briefings to avoid colliding with him on air .
Cuomo has been articulate , factual and empathetic .
He 's taken on Trump when needed to whilst not being afraid to thank him when it 's due .
Asked by a reporter last week if he was shying away from `` a tangle '' with the president , Cuomo hit back in his Italian-New York drawl : `` How long have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have I ever been afraid of a tangle ?
No , I just do n't think now is the time to play politics . ''
The two go back a long way : they grew up in Queens together , followed their fathers into the family business and now share the stage as America awaits the final act in this tragedy .
Cuomo 's detailed assessments and delivery of the latest COVID-19 data , illustrated on screen by graphs , contrasts so markedly with the president 's shoot-from-the-hip optimism .
Unwittingly , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely presidential candidate Joe Biden , who has been confined to his home and restricted to delivering video updates .
Whilst Trump is politically opportunistic ( suggesting America could be open again by Easter being one such example ) , Cuomo is honest , repeatedly telling New Yorkers that the authorities have `` been playing catch up since day one '' .
He is blunt , careful to limit expectations of when this might all end .
And he is often gentle , using his own family stories to humanise the crisis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience .
He named a new law designed to protect older people against the virus after his mother , Matilda , and often has his daughters sitting next to him at news conferences .
Reputationally he lacks the oratorical flair of his father but in this crisis the prodigal son has found his voice : `` This is a moment that forges character , forges people , changes people .
`` Ten years from now you 'll be talking about today to your children or your grandchildren and you will shed a tear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you 'll remember the faces and you 'll remember the names , and you 'll remember how hard we worked and we still lost loved ones .
`` But you will also be proud , proud of what you did , proud that you showed up . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Over the weeks he 's been interviewed by his brother live on CNN .
They pair have provided lighter moments , a surreal break from a daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued over who is the favourite son , whether he has ever thought of running for president , ( `` No '' was the curt reply ) and meatballs on a Sunday growing up together in a large family .
Chris was diagnosed a few days ago with coronavirus .
Appearing from his basement , live during one of the news conferences , he told his brother , New York 's governor , what he 'd been experiencing : `` You came to me in a dream , you had on a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the dream and you were waving a wand saying I wish I could wave it away and then you spun around and you danced away . ''
Cuomo has an ego .
I 've sat face-to-face with him at one of his daily briefings - he knows he 's centre stage and I sense a part of him is enjoying it .
He is ruthless , some describe him as a bully .
But he 's rising to the occasion , demonstrating leadership at a time when America is sorely lacking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president in 2020 ?
No , wo n't happen .
But 2024 ?
Perhaps ...

His supporters are starting to think he is the man to take on Donald Trump for the presidency later this year, despite not being in the race.
His enemies, and there are many, criticise him as abrasive, brusque and believe he eschews core Democrat principles.
Such is his checkered reputation, that it's rumoured Andrew Cuomo didn't throw his name into the current presidential race on the advice of many party members who told him he would never have the support needed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:35 New York 'just days away from D-Day'
And yet he has become the man of the moment, an almost therapeutic voice of calm and reason that has won him the prime-time spotlight with the president himself.
One poll reckons 87% of New Yorkers like the way Cuomo's handled the coronavirus crisis. The New York Post has dubbed it "Cuomentum".
Cuomo is part of the establishment. His father Mario was the 52nd Governor of New York, his first wife was the daughter of Bobby Kennedy and his younger brother Chris is an anchor for CNN.
His daily televised news conferences have become appointment-to-view.
US television networks have carried them in full, almost unheard of for a state governor, and it's reported the White House changed the time of their daily television briefings to avoid colliding with him on air.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 'An insidious beast' - NY governor on virus
Cuomo has been articulate, factual and empathetic. He's taken on Trump when needed to whilst not being afraid to thank him when it's due.
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Asked by a reporter last week if he was shying away from "a tangle" with the president, Cuomo hit back in his Italian-New York drawl: "How long have you known me? Twenty years? Have I ever been afraid of a tangle? No, I just don't think now is the time to play politics."
The two go back a long way: they grew up in Queens together, followed their fathers into the family business and now share the stage as America awaits the final act in this tragedy.
There the similarities end.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 Trump warns of 'a lot of death' ahead
Cuomo's detailed assessments and delivery of the latest COVID-19 data, illustrated on screen by graphs, contrasts so markedly with the president's shoot-from-the-hip optimism.
Unwittingly, he has also exposed the Democrat Party's likely presidential candidate Joe Biden, who has been confined to his home and restricted to delivering video updates.
Whilst Trump is politically opportunistic (suggesting America could be open again by Easter being one such example), Cuomo is honest, repeatedly telling New Yorkers that the authorities have "been playing catch up since day one".
He is blunt, careful to limit expectations of when this might all end. And he is often gentle, using his own family stories to humanise the crisis and connect with everyone going through this same experience.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:32 Coronavirus numbers 'beyond staggering', Cuomo tells Sky News
He named a new law designed to protect older people against the virus after his mother, Matilda, and often has his daughters sitting next to him at news conferences.
Reputationally he lacks the oratorical flair of his father but in this crisis the prodigal son has found his voice: "This is a moment that forges character, forges people, changes people.
"Ten years from now you'll be talking about today to your children or your grandchildren and you will shed a tear because you will remember the lives lost and you'll remember the faces and you'll remember the names, and you'll remember how hard we worked and we still lost loved ones.
"But you will also be proud, proud of what you did, proud that you showed up."
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Over the weeks he's been interviewed by his brother live on CNN.
They pair have provided lighter moments, a surreal break from a daily diet of depressing news.
They've argued over who is the favourite son, whether he has ever thought of running for president, ("No" was the curt reply) and meatballs on a Sunday growing up together in a large family.
Chris was diagnosed a few days ago with coronavirus.
Appearing from his basement, live during one of the news conferences, he told his brother, New York's governor, what he'd been experiencing: "You came to me in a dream, you had on a very interesting ballet outfit and you were dancing in the dream and you were waving a wand saying I wish I could wave it away and then you spun around and you danced away."
Weird, but it kinda works.
Cuomo has an ego. I've sat face-to-face with him at one of his daily briefings - he knows he's centre stage and I sense a part of him is enjoying it.
He is ruthless, some describe him as a bully. But he's rising to the occasion, demonstrating leadership at a time when America is sorely lacking in it but needs it most.
So president in 2020? No, won't happen. But 2024? Perhaps...


news--2020-04-06--Coronavirus: Trump warns death rate close to 'horrific point' as top doctor speaks of 'Pearl Harbor

Coronavirus: Trump warns death rate close to 'horrific point' as top doctor speaks of 'Pearl Harbor moment'

President Donald Trump has warned that the US will reach a `` horrific point '' in terms of death rates as one of the country 's top doctors said the nation should brace for levels of tragedy reminiscent of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 attacks .
The US leader showed glimmers of optimism at a coronavirus briefing in the White House on Sunday , saying that the US was seeing a `` levelling-off '' of the crisis in some of the nation 's hotspots for the outbreak .
However , he said the US will reach a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths recorded on a daily basis , asserting that projections of total fatalities related to the infection `` may be on the high side '' .
`` We will reach a horrific point in terms of deaths from coronavirus , but from that point , things will start to change .
We are very close to that level , '' Mr Trump said .
The number of cases across the US climbed to at least 331,151 on Sunday with around 9,441 fatalities , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
: @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Mr Trump began Sunday 's briefing by addressing Boris Johnson 's hospitalisation for precautionary tests after suffering persistent COVID-19 symptoms , including a high temperature , 10 days after he tested positive for the highly contagious respiratory infection .
Mr Trump said he was `` hopeful '' that the UK prime minister would recover , adding that Mr Johnson is a `` strong man '' .
Mr Trump said the US had tested and received results for around 1.67 million Americans for COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths in New York could be a good sign .
`` That 's far more than any country 's been able to do , '' he said .
He later said : `` We see light at the end of the tunnel .
Things are happening , things are happening .
`` We are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully in the not too distant future , we 'll be very proud of the job we all did '' .
On Sunday , hardest-hit state New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day before in the first time for a week , but there were still nearly 600 new fatalities and more than 7,300 cases .
`` Maybe that 's a good sign '' , Mr Trump told reporters , referring to the decline in fatalities .
He said the federal government will deliver 600,000 N95 respirator masks to New York City on Monday , as well as an additional 200,000 masks to Suffolk County in New York .
Mr Trump also revealed that the US has tested and received results for 1.67 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchased a `` tremendous amount '' of hydroxychloroquine - an anti-malaria medication - after some very strong signs it helps combat coronavirus infections .
He added that the use of erythromycin to treat coronavirus should be looked at very closely .
It comes as US top doctor Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned on Sunday that the nation would be hit by the hardest and saddest week of their lives because of coronavirus .
Offering a stark warning about the expected wave of virus deaths , he told CNN : `` This is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of most Americans ' lives , quite frankly .
`` This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment , our 9/11 moment , only it 's not going to be localised .
It 's going to be happening all over the country .
And I want America to understand that . ''
And despite New York 's slight drop in deaths , intensive care admissions and the number of patients needing breathing tubes , Governor Andrew Cuomo warned that it was too early to tell the significance of those numbers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the US economy running as normal by Easter - 12 April - but , with the number of virus cases growing exponentially , he did not repeat this outlook during his news conferences this weekend .
On Saturday , he warned that Americans were heading into what could be their `` toughest '' few weeks , with `` a lot of death '' expected .

President Donald Trump has warned that the US will reach a "horrific point" in terms of death rates as one of the country's top doctors said the nation should brace for levels of tragedy reminiscent of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 attacks.
The US leader showed glimmers of optimism at a coronavirus briefing in the White House on Sunday, saying that the US was seeing a "levelling-off" of the crisis in some of the nation's hotspots for the outbreak.
However, he said the US will reach a "horrific point" in terms of deaths recorded on a daily basis, asserting that projections of total fatalities related to the infection "may be on the high side".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:04 'Exhausted' morgue workers in New York struggle with the dead
"We will reach a horrific point in terms of deaths from coronavirus, but from that point, things will start to change. We are very close to that level," Mr Trump said.
The number of cases across the US climbed to at least 331,151 on Sunday with around 9,441 fatalities, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Mr Trump began Sunday's briefing by addressing Boris Johnson's hospitalisation for precautionary tests after suffering persistent COVID-19 symptoms, including a high temperature, 10 days after he tested positive for the highly contagious respiratory infection.
Mr Trump said he was "hopeful" that the UK prime minister would recover, adding that Mr Johnson is a "strong man".
Image: Donald Trump described Boris Johnson as a 'friend' and 'great leader'
Mr Trump said the US had tested and received results for around 1.67 million Americans for COVID-19, and that the drop in the number of deaths in New York could be a good sign.
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"That's far more than any country's been able to do," he said.
He later said: "We see light at the end of the tunnel. Things are happening, things are happening.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 Trump warns of 'a lot of death' ahead
"We are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully in the not too distant future, we'll be very proud of the job we all did".
On Sunday, hardest-hit state New York reported deaths had fallen slightly from the day before in the first time for a week, but there were still nearly 600 new fatalities and more than 7,300 cases.
"Maybe that's a good sign", Mr Trump told reporters, referring to the decline in fatalities.
He said the federal government will deliver 600,000 N95 respirator masks to New York City on Monday, as well as an additional 200,000 masks to Suffolk County in New York.
Mr Trump also revealed that the US has tested and received results for 1.67 million Americans and that the US government had purchased a "tremendous amount" of hydroxychloroquine - an anti-malaria medication - after some very strong signs it helps combat coronavirus infections.
He added that the use of erythromycin to treat coronavirus should be looked at very closely.
Image: Doctors in New York struggling to save a patient
It comes as US top doctor Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned on Sunday that the nation would be hit by the hardest and saddest week of their lives because of coronavirus.
Offering a stark warning about the expected wave of virus deaths, he told CNN: "This is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans' lives, quite frankly.
"This is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment, only it's not going to be localised. It's going to be happening all over the country. And I want America to understand that."
And despite New York's slight drop in deaths, intensive care admissions and the number of patients needing breathing tubes, Governor Andrew Cuomo warned that it was too early to tell the significance of those numbers.
Mr Trump had said he wanted to get the US economy running as normal by Easter - 12 April - but, with the number of virus cases growing exponentially, he did not repeat this outlook during his news conferences this weekend.
On Saturday, he warned that Americans were heading into what could be their "toughest" few weeks, with "a lot of death" expected.


news--2020-02-17--Ex-US watchdog Casey to step down from HSBC board

A former US financial watchdog is to step down as a director of HSBC Holdings as its chairman continues to reshape the board of Europe 's biggest lender .
Sky News understands that Kathleen Casey , who served as a commissioner of the US Securities and Exchange Commission between 2006 and 2011 , will leave HSBC 's board at its annual meeting in the spring .
Her departure is expected to be confirmed alongside HSBC 's full-year results on Tuesday , when the bank will be interrogated over the prospects of a conclusion to its search for a new chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ousted last summer , has been replaced by long-serving HSBC executive on an interim basis by Noel Quinn .
Mr Quinn has said that he wants the job on a permanent basis and will outline on Tuesday wide-ranging details of a strategy aimed at making HSBC more efficient , but will not be appointed to the post this week .
Insiders said that a final shortlist had now been drawn up by board members led by the chairman , Mark Tucker , but a decision is unlikely for several weeks .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reported to have ruled himself out of the process , although people close to HSBC said he had not made it to the latter stages of the process .
The bank is understood to have become frustrated by reports suggesting that it is planning to establish a 'bad bank ' to house non-core assets .
Sources said that assets worth anywhere between $ 100bn and $ 150bn would be identified as being for sale , but disputed the characterisation of the impending disposal programme .
Most of that reduction will come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is expected to be reorganised to pave the way for the creation of a single wholesale banking division .
Well in excess of 10,000 jobs will also be cut by the bank , with the reductions created by disposals and downsizing in underperforming areas of its business .
HSBC , which has a market value of £119bn , generates most of its profit in Asia , so its views on the likely economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak will also be closely watched .
Despite its poor share price performance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % over the last year , it remains one of Britain 's most profitable companies .
It is expected to announce earnings for 2019 of roughly $ 20bn ( £15.4bn ) .
One source said on Monday that HSBC would also announce steep cuts to its bonus pool , with the variable pay pot for 2018 of $ 3.47bn sharply lower last year .
HSBC declined to comment on Ms Casey 's departure from its board .

A former US financial watchdog is to step down as a director of HSBC Holdings as its chairman continues to reshape the board of Europe's biggest lender.
Sky News understands that Kathleen Casey, who served as a commissioner of the US Securities and Exchange Commission between 2006 and 2011, will leave HSBC's board at its annual meeting in the spring.
Her departure is expected to be confirmed alongside HSBC's full-year results on Tuesday, when the bank will be interrogated over the prospects of a conclusion to its search for a new chief executive.
John Flint, who was ousted last summer, has been replaced by long-serving HSBC executive on an interim basis by Noel Quinn.
Mr Quinn has said that he wants the job on a permanent basis and will outline on Tuesday wide-ranging details of a strategy aimed at making HSBC more efficient, but will not be appointed to the post this week.
Insiders said that a final shortlist had now been drawn up by board members led by the chairman, Mark Tucker, but a decision is unlikely for several weeks.
At the weekend, former Citi executive Stephen Bird was reported to have ruled himself out of the process, although people close to HSBC said he had not made it to the latter stages of the process.
The bank is understood to have become frustrated by reports suggesting that it is planning to establish a 'bad bank' to house non-core assets.
Sources said that assets worth anywhere between $100bn and $150bn would be identified as being for sale, but disputed the characterisation of the impending disposal programme.
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Most of that reduction will come from HSBC's global banking and markets business, which is expected to be reorganised to pave the way for the creation of a single wholesale banking division.
Well in excess of 10,000 jobs will also be cut by the bank, with the reductions created by disposals and downsizing in underperforming areas of its business.
HSBC, which has a market value of £119bn, generates most of its profit in Asia, so its views on the likely economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak will also be closely watched.
Despite its poor share price performance, with its stock down by more than 10% over the last year, it remains one of Britain's most profitable companies.
It is expected to announce earnings for 2019 of roughly $20bn (£15.4bn).
One source said on Monday that HSBC would also announce steep cuts to its bonus pool, with the variable pay pot for 2018 of $3.47bn sharply lower last year.
HSBC declined to comment on Ms Casey's departure from its board.


news--2020-02-17--Japan on brink of recession as coronavirus impact threatens economy

The Japanese economy shrank at its fastest pace in more than five years at the end of 2019 - putting it on the brink of recession as the impact of the coronavirus begins to bite .
Official figures showed gross domestic product ( GDP ) declined by 1.6 % in the last quarter , equivalent to an annual pace of 6.3 % .
The sharp contraction in the world 's third biggest economy was blamed on a sales tax hitting consumer and business spending as well as the impact of a major typhoon .
Analysts say the coronavirus outbreak could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falls for a second successive quarter the economy will be in recession .
Taro Saito , executive research fellow at NLI Research Institute , said : `` There 's a pretty good chance the economy will suffer another contraction in January-March .
`` The virus will mainly hit inbound tourism and exports , but could also weigh on domestic so consumption quite a lot .
`` If this epidemic is not contained by the time of the Tokyo Olympic Games , the damage to the economy will be huge . ''
: : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The fourth quarter slump was much bigger than experts had predicted , and the biggest since the second quarter of 2014 .
It comes amid signs that other countries in the region are struggling with the impact of the coronavirus .
Thailand has posted its slowest expansion in five years and Singapore cut its growth projection for 2020 - the latter country also flagging a recession risk .
China 's interconnectedness with the global economy means factory and store shutdowns in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week , JCB became the first major UK manufacturer to reveal that it was cutting production at its factories because it expects that the outbreak will reduce the availability of parts from suppliers in China .
However , stock markets , which initially fell sharply because of the virus , have since become more bullish despite its continued spread .
That is partly due to stimulus measures such as China 's central bank cutting interest rates to try to cushion the economy from the blow to the economy caused by COVID-19 @

The Japanese economy shrank at its fastest pace in more than five years at the end of 2019 - putting it on the brink of recession as the impact of the coronavirus begins to bite.
Official figures showed gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 1.6% in the last quarter, equivalent to an annual pace of 6.3%.
The sharp contraction in the world's third biggest economy was blamed on a sales tax hitting consumer and business spending as well as the impact of a major typhoon.
Analysts say the coronavirus outbreak could take a further toll.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:37 Why a Japan recession may be short-lived
If GDP falls for a second successive quarter the economy will be in recession.
Taro Saito, executive research fellow at NLI Research Institute, said: "There's a pretty good chance the economy will suffer another contraction in January-March.
"The virus will mainly hit inbound tourism and exports, but could also weigh on domestic so consumption quite a lot.
"If this epidemic is not contained by the time of the Tokyo Olympic Games, the damage to the economy will be huge."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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The fourth quarter slump was much bigger than experts had predicted, and the biggest since the second quarter of 2014.
Japan's Nikkei index fell 0.7% on the figures.
It comes amid signs that other countries in the region are struggling with the impact of the coronavirus.
Thailand has posted its slowest expansion in five years and Singapore cut its growth projection for 2020 - the latter country also flagging a recession risk.
China's interconnectedness with the global economy means factory and store shutdowns in the country are having repercussions around the world.
Last week, JCB became the first major UK manufacturer to reveal that it was cutting production at its factories because it expects that the outbreak will reduce the availability of parts from suppliers in China.
However, stock markets, which initially fell sharply because of the virus, have since become more bullish despite its continued spread.
That is partly due to stimulus measures such as China's central bank cutting interest rates to try to cushion the economy from the blow to the economy caused by COVID-19.


news--2020-02-17--Coronavirus: 14 Americans repatriated from quarantined cruise ship test positive

Fourteen US citizens who were evacuated from a quarantined cruise ship have been flown home - despite being found to have COVID-19 on the way to the airport .
Two charter flights carrying some of the 380 Americans on board the Diamond Princess ship moored at Yokohama Port near Tokyo had left Japan for America on Sunday , the US State Department said .
Passengers were tested for the virus 2-3 days before being allowed off the ship , but once they had begun heading to the airport , officials received notice that 14 of them tested positive - despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Passengers who were known to have tested positive for the virus before the leaving the ship were told they would not be able to board the flight back to the US , but exceptions were made for those already heading to the airport .
Once on board the flight from Tokyo 's Haneda Airport , those who had tested positive were moved to the back of the plane in a `` specialised containment area '' to be isolated - even though they did not display any symptoms .
The flights appear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the repatriated passengers will now have to spend another two weeks in quarantine at a military facility .
Of the 3,500 people on board the ship , 454 have tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Australia , Canada , Hong Kong and Italy are also planning similar repatriation flights .
Meanwhile , 74 Britons held on the ship have accused the UK government of `` forgetting '' about them .
In a video message , British passenger David Abel said : `` Every country except the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is really wonderful for the people on board the ship .
`` Every country except for the United Kingdom .
`` It feels that we 've been forgotten .
That you do n't really care about us , and that you 're actually not wanting us to come home . ''
• Chinese authorities have said there were 2,048 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 105 new deaths on Sunday in mainland China .
• Taiwan has reported its first death from the virus , bringing the total number of deaths outside mainland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Shinzo Abe has convened a meeting of experts to discuss how the virus can be contained in his country , after more than a dozen cases emerged in recent days without any obvious link to China .
• In the UK , 4,501 tests had been carried out by 2pm on Monday , nine of which were positive .
The UK government has revealed it is considering a repatriation flight in the wake of the US action to fly its citizens home .
A Number 10 spokesman said : `` We sympathise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely difficult situation .
`` The Foreign Office is in contact with all British people on the Diamond Princess , including to establish interest in a possible repatriation flight .
`` We are urgently considering all options to guarantee the health and safety of those on board . ''
The Department of Health has confirmed a hotel at Heathrow has been block booked for use by travellers arriving with Coronavirus symptoms who have nowhere else to self isolate or await test results .
It says any positive test cases will be transferred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virgin chief Richard Branson announced that he was in talks with the government to see if his company was able to help , following a direct appeal by stranded passenger Richard Abel last week , asking the billionaire to offer his services .
However , the embassy in Tokyo is clear that a flight is only being looked into at the moment , and that it is not a certainty .
Organisers of the Tokyo Marathon announced on Monday that this year 's event was to be significantly scaled back , due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event website said that officials `` can not continue to launch the event within the scale we originally anticipated '' .
Only elite able-bodied and wheelchair athletes will be allowed to compete in the 1 March event , with others being offered the chance to defer to next year .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It all comes as the death toll from COVID-19 hit more than 1,775 , according to the Johns Hopkins Centre for Systems Science and Engineering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 71,000 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 , with most of the cases concentrated in mainland China .

Fourteen US citizens who were evacuated from a quarantined cruise ship have been flown home - despite being found to have COVID-19 on the way to the airport.
Two charter flights carrying some of the 380 Americans on board the Diamond Princess ship moored at Yokohama Port near Tokyo had left Japan for America on Sunday, the US State Department said.
Passengers were tested for the virus 2-3 days before being allowed off the ship, but once they had begun heading to the airport, officials received notice that 14 of them tested positive - despite being found "fit to fly".
Image: Passengers on board a repatriation flight from the Diamond Princess in Japan. Pic: Philip and Gay Courter
Image: Some of the American cruise ship passengers have been repatriated
Passengers who were known to have tested positive for the virus before the leaving the ship were told they would not be able to board the flight back to the US, but exceptions were made for those already heading to the airport.
Once on board the flight from Tokyo's Haneda Airport, those who had tested positive were moved to the back of the plane in a "specialised containment area" to be isolated - even though they did not display any symptoms.
The flights appear to have landed at US airforce bases, and the repatriated passengers will now have to spend another two weeks in quarantine at a military facility.
Of the 3,500 people on board the ship, 454 have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Image: Evacuated US passengers seen on a shuttle bus
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:49 US couple to evacuate quarantined cruise ship
Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and Italy are also planning similar repatriation flights.
Meanwhile, 74 Britons held on the ship have accused the UK government of "forgetting" about them.
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In a video message, British passenger David Abel said: "Every country except the UK has become involved, and that is really wonderful for the people on board the ship.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Briton describes cruise quarantine
"Every country except for the United Kingdom.
"It feels that we've been forgotten. That you don't really care about us, and that you're actually not wanting us to come home."
<
The latest coronavirus developments:
Chinese authorities have said there were 2,048 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 105 new deaths on Sunday in mainland China.
Taiwan has reported its first death from the virus, bringing the total number of deaths outside mainland China to five.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has convened a meeting of experts to discuss how the virus can be contained in his country, after more than a dozen cases emerged in recent days without any obvious link to China.
In the UK, 4,501 tests had been carried out by 2pm on Monday, nine of which were positive.
The UK government has revealed it is considering a repatriation flight in the wake of the US action to fly its citizens home.
A Number 10 spokesman said: "We sympathise with all those caught up in this extremely difficult situation.
"The Foreign Office is in contact with all British people on the Diamond Princess, including to establish interest in a possible repatriation flight.
"We are urgently considering all options to guarantee the health and safety of those on board."
The Department of Health has confirmed a hotel at Heathrow has been block booked for use by travellers arriving with Coronavirus symptoms who have nowhere else to self isolate or await test results.
It says any positive test cases will be transferred to a specialist NHS facility for treatment.
Image: A Heathrow hotel has been block booked for people who need to self isolate
Virgin chief Richard Branson announced that he was in talks with the government to see if his company was able to help, following a direct appeal by stranded passenger Richard Abel last week, asking the billionaire to offer his services.
However, the embassy in Tokyo is clear that a flight is only being looked into at the moment, and that it is not a certainty.
Organisers of the Tokyo Marathon announced on Monday that this year's event was to be significantly scaled back, due to fears over COVID-19.
A statement on the event website said that officials "cannot continue to launch the event within the scale we originally anticipated".
Only elite able-bodied and wheelchair athletes will be allowed to compete in the 1 March event, with others being offered the chance to defer to next year.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It all comes as the death toll from COVID-19 hit more than 1,775, according to the Johns Hopkins Centre for Systems Science and Engineering.
So far there have been more than 71,000 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19, with most of the cases concentrated in mainland China.


news--2020-02-17--Hong Kong: Armed thieves steal 50 packs of toilet paper amid coronavirus shortage

Knife-wielding thieves have stolen 600 toilet paper rolls from outside a Hong Kong supermarket amid shortages caused by the coronavirus outbreak .
Investigators caught two of the three men and recovered all of the toilet paper - worth about HK $ 1,700 ( nearly £98 ) - stolen from the Mong Kok district on Monday morning .
Media reports say a truck driver had placed about 50 packs of toilet rolls outside the supermarket when the three men took them .
Several hours later , police reportedly found the stolen rolls in a nearby guesthouse .
Footage shows police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the supermarket , with one only half stacked .
Supplies of the commodity have become extremely scarce in Hong Kong and mainland China amid concerns the coronavirus will spread further .
Panic has emptied supermarket shelves , with people stockpiling everything from cleaning products to food supplies .
Earlier this month , Hong Kong 's government closed some borders with the mainland , causing concern that supply chains from China would be blocked .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking through empty shelves in Hong Kong supermarkets , as well as long queues when new stock arrives .
This is despite government assurances that supplies remain unaffected by the virus outbreak .
The death toll from COVID-19 , the medical name for the acute respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus , has hit more than 1,773 , according to the Johns Hoskins Centre for Systems Science and Engineering .
So far there have been more than 71,000 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
• Chinese authorities have said there were 2,048 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deaths on Sunday in mainland China • Taiwan has reported its first death from the virus , bringing the total number of deaths outside mainland China to five • Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has convened a meeting of experts to discuss how the virus can be contained in his country , after more than a dozens cases emerged in recent days without any obvious link to China • China 's President Xi has published a speech in Chinese official media in which he said that he had led the response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Knife-wielding thieves have stolen 600 toilet paper rolls from outside a Hong Kong supermarket amid shortages caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Investigators caught two of the three men and recovered all of the toilet paper - worth about HK$1,700 (nearly £98) - stolen from the Mong Kok district on Monday morning.
Media reports say a truck driver had placed about 50 packs of toilet rolls outside the supermarket when the three men took them.
Image: Authorities blame false online rumours for the panic buying
Several hours later, police reportedly found the stolen rolls in a nearby guesthouse.
Footage shows police officers standing beside several crates of toilet rolls outside the supermarket, with one only half stacked.
Supplies of the commodity have become extremely scarce in Hong Kong and mainland China amid concerns the coronavirus will spread further.
Panic has emptied supermarket shelves, with people stockpiling everything from cleaning products to food supplies.
Earlier this month, Hong Kong's government closed some borders with the mainland, causing concern that supply chains from China would be blocked.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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Photos posted on social media show masked customers walking through empty shelves in Hong Kong supermarkets, as well as long queues when new stock arrives.
This is despite government assurances that supplies remain unaffected by the virus outbreak.
The death toll from COVID-19, the medical name for the acute respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, has hit more than 1,773, according to the Johns Hoskins Centre for Systems Science and Engineering.
So far there have been more than 71,000 suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19.
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The latest coronavirus developments:


news--2020-02-17--Coronavirus: Holiday Inn near Heathrow Airport designated quarantine centre for at-risk passengers

The government has commandeered a hotel near Heathrow Airport for possible use as a quarantine zone for any people entering the country who may have been exposed to the coronavirus .
The Department of Health has confirmed that officials have block-booked every room at the nearby Holiday Inn , and that it has been temporarily closed to other guests .
The move is part of a number of contingency plans now being enacted to help cope with a more serious outbreak of COVID-19 in the UK , should one occur .
Officials have confirmed the number of people being tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen to 4,501 , although the number testing positive for the virus has remained unchanged at nine .
Urgent efforts are underway to update national contingency plans , which were last used almost a decade ago during the global swine flu epidemic .
Within the NHS , 24 hospitals have been earmarked to deal with confirmed cases of the flu-like illness .
Some health trusts are also requisitioning portacabins , should extra bed space be required in the event of a major outbreak .
The UK 's chief medical officer , Chris Whitty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of key priorities - contain , delay , research and mitigate - to deal with the virus .
He said the first priority was to contain the virus , then to delay any potential outbreak until the summer , when winter pressures on the NHS were over .
Meanwhile , urgent research on potential vaccines is set to continue in conjunction with UK-wide plans to mitigate the risks of any outbreak .
Niall Dickson , chief executive of the NHS Confederation , acknowledged that a significant outbreak of COVID-19 in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services , but added that staff were used to dealing with health crises .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said : `` There 's no doubt that the NHS at the moment is under considerable strain as it is , so of course if there were a full blown outbreak , the NHS would have to adapt .
`` The good news is that the health service is very used to adapting to emergencies .
`` So even at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make some very serious decisions , for example cancelling routine operations , making sure you protect GP surgeries and hospitals , but the service overall would be able to cope . ''
Another priority area when it comes to contingency planning is education .
Public Health England has issued guidance to schools and parents saying that no restrictions or special control measures are needed while tests for COVID-19 are carried out on a suspected case .
While a pupil or staff member suspected of coming into contact with the virus is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is needed .
If a case of the virus is confirmed , then health protection teams would trace those at risk .
The new guidance comes the week after at least seven schools in Brighton , Hove and Eastbourne messaged parents saying that they would authorise absences for families wishing to self-isolate .
The government 's existing planning for an influenza pandemic forms the template for many of the contingencies around dealing with a COVID-19 pandemic .
It states : `` The government 's overall aim will be to encourage people to carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible , if they are well , while taking additional precautions to protect themselves from infection and to lessen the risk of spread to others . ''
In the event of a widespread outbreak in the UK , health officials would be able to call on police resources to help ensure an orderly compliance with any quarantine measures .
Officers have been handed additional powers to force those at risk of contracting the coronavirus into quarantine , and the measures have been put in place with immediate effect .
Under the legal powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if necessary , to detain those who may be contaminated with the virus .
The regulations were brought in after one of the 93 Britons quarantined in Arrowe Park Hospital , Birkenhead , threatened to abscond .
Under the restrictions , any person deemed at risk of spreading the virus could be held against their will , forcibly assessed , and detained for a two-week period .
There are no immediate plans to consider military involvement in efforts to contain COVID-19 .
But emergency planners at the Ministry of Defence are keeping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide expert military assistance , should the need arise .
Any moves to restrict travel into the UK are not under consideration , even in the midst of a more serious outbreak .
Research by health officials found that even a 90 % reduction in air travel into the UK would not prevent a more serious outbreak and would likely only delay it by a couple of weeks .

The government has commandeered a hotel near Heathrow Airport for possible use as a quarantine zone for any people entering the country who may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
The Department of Health has confirmed that officials have block-booked every room at the nearby Holiday Inn, and that it has been temporarily closed to other guests.
The move is part of a number of contingency plans now being enacted to help cope with a more serious outbreak of COVID-19 in the UK, should one occur.
Officials have confirmed the number of people being tested for possible exposure to the virus has risen to 4,501, although the number testing positive for the virus has remained unchanged at nine.
Image: The Holiday Inn on Bath Road has been temporarily closed to other guests. Credit: Google Maps
Urgent efforts are underway to update national contingency plans, which were last used almost a decade ago during the global swine flu epidemic.
Within the NHS, 24 hospitals have been earmarked to deal with confirmed cases of the flu-like illness.
Some health trusts are also requisitioning portacabins, should extra bed space be required in the event of a major outbreak.
The UK's chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said health officials have adopted a list of key priorities - contain, delay, research and mitigate - to deal with the virus.
He said the first priority was to contain the virus, then to delay any potential outbreak until the summer, when winter pressures on the NHS were over.
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Meanwhile, urgent research on potential vaccines is set to continue in conjunction with UK-wide plans to mitigate the risks of any outbreak.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, acknowledged that a significant outbreak of COVID-19 in the UK would put immense pressure on already struggling services, but added that staff were used to dealing with health crises.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He said: "There's no doubt that the NHS at the moment is under considerable strain as it is, so of course if there were a full blown outbreak, the NHS would have to adapt.
"The good news is that the health service is very used to adapting to emergencies.
"So even at a very serious level, it would have to make some very serious decisions, for example cancelling routine operations, making sure you protect GP surgeries and hospitals, but the service overall would be able to cope."
Another priority area when it comes to contingency planning is education.
Public Health England has issued guidance to schools and parents saying that no restrictions or special control measures are needed while tests for COVID-19 are carried out on a suspected case.
While a pupil or staff member suspected of coming into contact with the virus is being tested, the guidance says no action is needed.
If a case of the virus is confirmed, then health protection teams would trace those at risk.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:47 British passengers in quarantine say they have been shown more care from other countries than the UK government.
The new guidance comes the week after at least seven schools in Brighton, Hove and Eastbourne messaged parents saying that they would authorise absences for families wishing to self-isolate.
The government's existing planning for an influenza pandemic forms the template for many of the contingencies around dealing with a COVID-19 pandemic.
It states: "The government's overall aim will be to encourage people to carry on as normal, as far as possible, if they are well, while taking additional precautions to protect themselves from infection and to lessen the risk of spread to others."
In the event of a widespread outbreak in the UK, health officials would be able to call on police resources to help ensure an orderly compliance with any quarantine measures.
Officers have been handed additional powers to force those at risk of contracting the coronavirus into quarantine, and the measures have been put in place with immediate effect.
Under the legal powers, police can use reasonable force, if necessary, to detain those who may be contaminated with the virus.
The regulations were brought in after one of the 93 Britons quarantined in Arrowe Park Hospital, Birkenhead, threatened to abscond.
Under the restrictions, any person deemed at risk of spreading the virus could be held against their will, forcibly assessed, and detained for a two-week period.
There are no immediate plans to consider military involvement in efforts to contain COVID-19.
But emergency planners at the Ministry of Defence are keeping the situation under review and have well-rehearsed plans to provide expert military assistance, should the need arise.
Any moves to restrict travel into the UK are not under consideration, even in the midst of a more serious outbreak.
Research by health officials found that even a 90% reduction in air travel into the UK would not prevent a more serious outbreak and would likely only delay it by a couple of weeks.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Government insists 'significant progress' amid questions over UK testing level

A cabinet minister has insisted the UK is making `` significant progress '' in boosting coronavirus testing despite hundreds of thousands of NHS staff still not being screened .
Questions have been raised about the country 's current level of testing , following comparisons with nations such as Germany , which is estimated to now be conducting as many as 500,000 tests per week .
Robert Jenrick , the housing , communities and local government secretary , said the UK is now able to test 12,750 people for COVID-19 every day .
He said 8,240 people were tested for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS staff tested over the weekend .
Mr Jenrick added the UK will , `` within days '' , be able to conduct 15,000 tests per day , and then reach 25,000 tests per day - or 175,000 per week - by `` mid-April '' .
Speaking to Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast show , the cabinet minister said the UK had initially been focusing its testing capacity on those in critical care .
`` That was the best way to save people 's lives so hospital staff could understand what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in critical care , and know how to treat them appropriately , '' he said .
`` Because we now have more capacity - clearly not as much as we would like , but we have more capacity - we 're now able to begin to test NHS staff . ''
The government has previously highlighted a shortage of substances known as reagents for hindering the UK 's ability to increase its testing capacity .
However , the Chemical Industries Association has suggested supply of reagents could be boosted when it receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK .
It said in a statement : `` While there is of course an escalating demand , there are reagents being manufactured and delivered to the NHS .
`` Every business here in the UK and globally is looking at what they can do to help meet the demand as a matter of urgency .
`` To clarify the exact NHS need and meet it , all relevant UK industries are continuing to work closely with government . ''
But Mr Jenrick said `` not all '' the ingredients needed to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK .
`` We need to bring together the right group of chemicals and other materials to produce the tests , '' he added .
`` We are trying to do that , the industry is doing a fantastic job but this is a huge effort .
`` They 're ramping up supply , we 're importing materials from overseas .
`` But , I think as we can all understand , there 's extremely high demand internationally .
`` All other developed countries want to be procuring these tests at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing an exit strategy from the virus . ''
Mr Jenrick said the UK would `` obviously learn lessons '' later on about which countries pursued the right strategies to deal with COVID-19 .
But he stressed the government was focused on getting `` as many of the tests brought forward as we possibly can '' .
`` Although I appreciate it 's from a base that is lower than any of us would wish , we are now making significant progress , '' he added .
He also said , by next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more '' ventilators available to the NHS , including for new make-shift facilities such as the Nightingale Hospital at London 's ExCel Centre .
This follows a call for British manufacturers to switch their factories to producing ventilators to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic .
Mr Jenrick added the UK currently has more than 12,000 ventilators but a `` significant increase '' is still needed .
He was later said to have misspoken .
More than 8,000 ventilators are currently available to NHS patients and another 8,000 are expected in the coming weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It follows concerns expressed by one of US President Donald Trump 's team about the UK 's supply of ventilators , which have proved crucial in treating severe cases .

A cabinet minister has insisted the UK is making "significant progress" in boosting coronavirus testing despite hundreds of thousands of NHS staff still not being screened.
Questions have been raised about the country's current level of testing, following comparisons with nations such as Germany, which is estimated to now be conducting as many as 500,000 tests per week.
Robert Jenrick, the housing, communities and local government secretary, said the UK is now able to test 12,750 people for COVID-19 every day.
He said 8,240 people were tested for coronavirus on Monday, with more than 900 NHS staff tested over the weekend.
Mr Jenrick added the UK will, "within days", be able to conduct 15,000 tests per day, and then reach 25,000 tests per day - or 175,000 per week - by "mid-April".
Image: Robert Jenrick said 'not all' the ingredients needed for a coronavirus test were available in the UK
Speaking to Sky News' Kay Burley @ Breakfast show, the cabinet minister said the UK had initially been focusing its testing capacity on those in critical care.
"That was the best way to save people's lives so hospital staff could understand what the condition was of those people who were in critical care, and know how to treat them appropriately," he said.
"Because we now have more capacity - clearly not as much as we would like, but we have more capacity - we're now able to begin to test NHS staff."
The government has previously highlighted a shortage of substances known as reagents for hindering the UK's ability to increase its testing capacity.
Advertisement
However, the Chemical Industries Association has suggested supply of reagents could be boosted when it receives clarity on the level needed in the UK.
It said in a statement: "While there is of course an escalating demand, there are reagents being manufactured and delivered to the NHS.
"Every business here in the UK and globally is looking at what they can do to help meet the demand as a matter of urgency.
"To clarify the exact NHS need and meet it, all relevant UK industries are continuing to work closely with government."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 Trump: UK first plan 'catastrophic' for deaths
But Mr Jenrick said "not all" the ingredients needed to make an efficient coronavirus test are available in the UK.
"We need to bring together the right group of chemicals and other materials to produce the tests," he added.
"We are trying to do that, the industry is doing a fantastic job but this is a huge effort.
"They're ramping up supply, we're importing materials from overseas.
"But, I think as we can all understand, there's extremely high demand internationally.
"All other developed countries want to be procuring these tests at this moment, because testing is essential to providing an exit strategy from the virus."
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Mr Jenrick said the UK would "obviously learn lessons" later on about which countries pursued the right strategies to deal with COVID-19.
But he stressed the government was focused on getting "as many of the tests brought forward as we possibly can".
"Although I appreciate it's from a base that is lower than any of us would wish, we are now making significant progress," he added.
He also said, by next week, there should be "thousands more" ventilators available to the NHS, including for new make-shift facilities such as the Nightingale Hospital at London's ExCel Centre.
This follows a call for British manufacturers to switch their factories to producing ventilators to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Jenrick added the UK currently has more than 12,000 ventilators but a "significant increase" is still needed.
He was later said to have misspoken.
More than 8,000 ventilators are currently available to NHS patients and another 8,000 are expected in the coming weeks, the Department for Health clarified.
It follows concerns expressed by one of US President Donald Trump's team about the UK's supply of ventilators, which have proved crucial in treating severe cases.