Dominic Raab leads Britain as Boris Johnson’s condition worsens, taken to ICU

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was being treated for worsening coronavirus symptoms in an intensive care unit on Tuesday, with his foreign minister deputizing for him as the nation tackles the COVID-19 crisis.Johnson, 55, was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in central London late on Sunday after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms, including a high temperature, for more than 10 days.

His condition rapidly deteriorated over the next 24 hours, and he was moved to an intensive care unit - where the most serious cases are treated. Although he had received oxygen, his office said he was still conscious.

Downing Street said the move to intensive care was "a precaution should he require ventilation to aid his recovery".

Britain has no formal succession plan should a prime minister become incapacitated.

"The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary," Downing Street said.

Just hours earlier, Johnson's office said he was in good spirits and Raab had told a news conference that the prime minister was still running the government.

The pound edged lower against the dollar and the euro in Asia on Tuesday, trading at $1.2234 following a 0.3% decline on Monday.

Business will go on

"The government's business will continue," a somber Raab, 46, told reporters, saying Johnson was in the safe hands of a brilliant medical team.

"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."

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