French FM wishes UK PM "full and speedy recovery"

The French foreign minister has wished the COVID-19 stricken British Prime a "full and speedy recovery" after he was taken to an intensive care unit at a London hospital on Monday evening when his condition deteriorated.

In an interview with the French news channel BFMTV, Jean-Yves Le Drian added that "this hospitalisation is also the symbol of the gravity of this crisis and reminds us of the necessity to be extremely vigilant no matter our functions".

Boris Johnson was moved to an intensive care unit after his coronavirus symptoms dramatically worsened Monday, just a day after he was admitted for what were said to be routine tests.

Johnson was admitted to St. Thomas' Hospital late Sunday, 10 days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19, the first major world leader to be confirmed to have the virus.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.