Coronavirus: Boris Johnson 'Responding to Treatment'; Still in Intensive Care

Boris Johnson is "responding to treatment" for coronavirus as he approaches a fourth night in hospital.

The prime minister was being kept in St Thomas' Hospital in London "for close monitoring" and remained clinically stable, his official spokesman said.

Downing Street said he was not working but could contact those he needed to.

No 10 said a review of lockdown rules would go ahead as planned next week, but the public must "stick with" the measures at what was a "critical time".

A ban on public gatherings of more than two people and the closure of shops selling non-essential goods were among the series of restrictions announced by Mr Johnson on 23 March to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

Downing Street said a relaxation of the rules would be considered "on or around" the three-week mark on Monday, as was promised by the PM when he introduced the measures.

But health minister Edward Argar said the peak in cases must pass "before we can think about making changes", adding: "It's too early to say when we will reach that peak."

The lockdown in Wales will be extended and not lifted next week, First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed.

BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said it seemed "likely" the rest of the UK would follow suit.

The prime minister was admitted to St Thomas' on Sunday, on the advice of his doctor, after continuing to have a cough and high temperature 10 days after testing positive for the virus.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson was in "good spirits" as he continued to receive standard oxygen treatment. He was breathing without any assistance, such as mechanical ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support.

The Queen and other senior royals sent messages to Mr Johnson's family and his pregnant fiancee, Carrie Symonds, saying they were thinking of them, and wished the PM a full and speedy recovery.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for Mr Johnson, said on Tuesday he was "confident" the PM would recover from this illness, describing him as a "fighter".

FROM .bbc.com/news/uk