BORIS Johnson has been transferred to intensive care, his spokesman has said. 

The prime minister was initially admitted to hospital "as a precaution" but his health has since worsened, Downing Street has said.

Boris was taken to a London hospital on Sunday evening with "persistent symptoms" including a temperature.

The prime minister is understood to have experienced breathing difficulties on Monday afternoon and was given oxygen.

Boris remains conscious and has been moved to intensive care as a precaution should he require ventilation.

A No 10 spokesman said: "Since sunday evening, the prime minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas' Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.

"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 his 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."