UK PM Boris Johnson returns to face growing virus divisions

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is returning to work after recovering from a coronavirus infection that put him in intensive care, with his government facing growing criticism over deaths and disruption virus has caused.

Johnson’s office said he would be back at his desk in 10 Downing St. on Monday, two weeks after he was released from a London hospital. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been standing in for prime minister, said Sunday that Johnson was “raring to go.”

Britain has recorded more than 20,000 deaths among people hospitalized with COVID-19, fifth country in world to reach that total. Thousands more are thought to have died

Johnson, 55, spent a week at St. Thomas’ Hospital, including three nights in intensive care, where he was given oxygen and watched around clock by medical workers. After he was released on April 12, he recorded a video

Johnson has t been seen in public since, as he recovered at Chequers, prime minister’s country retreat outside London.

Opposition politicians say Britain's coronavirus death toll could have been lower if Johnson's Conservative government h imposed a nationwide lockdown sooner. y are also demanding to

“Decisions need to be taken quicker and communication with public needs to be clearer,” opposition Labour Party leer Keir Starmer said in a letter to Johnson.

“ British public have me great sacrifices to make lockdown work,” he wrote. “y deserve to be part of an ult conversation about what comes next.”

Despite toll, which saw ar 813 virus-related deaths anunced Saturday, some in Britain are growing impatient with restrictions, which have brought

Scientists say U.K. has reached peak of pandemic but is t yet out of danger. number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is declining and number of daily deaths peaked on April 8.

But with hundreds of new deaths anunced each day, some health experts say Britain could eventually have highest virus death toll in Europe.

As fears recede that health system will be overwhelmed, opponents are criticizing Johnson’s government over shorts of protective equipment for medical workers and a lack of testing for virus. More than

government

British government says all health care staff and or essential workers can be tested if y show symptoms. It is rolling out almost 100 mobile testing sites, staffed by soldiers, to conduct tests at nursing homes, police stations, prisons and or sites.

In first two days of expanded testing, however, online system handling daily demand for tests h exceeded supply by early morning.