Dominic Raab is leading the governments coronavirus daily press briefing today
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has taken his place inside No 10 Downing Street and gets today’s UK government press conference under way.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has started today’s press briefing by saying that he is deputising Boris Johnson as he wished and has taken his place inside No 10 Downing Street to lead the government.
Raab went on to say that the Prime Minister is in a stable condition and remains in good spirits, despite being take to an intensive care unit late last night.
The foreign secretary says Boris Johnson is “receiving the very best care from the excellent medical team” and remained stable overnight.
“It comes as a shock to all of us. He is not just a prime minister, not just our boss, but also a colleague and also our friend.”
He adds: “I’m confident he will pull through because if there is one thing that I know about this prime minister is he is a fighter and he will be back leading us through this crisis in short order.”
Dominic Raab is asked whether he has the authority to make a “significant change” in direction to the UK’s strategy.
The foreign secretary replies that PM Boris Johnson has asked him to deputise “as long as is necessary”.
Sir Patrick Vallance on hospital admissions:
“There has not been an accelerated take-off. It’s possible we are seeing the start of a change that will lead to numbers flattening off.”
In response to a question about Germany, Prof Chris Whitty says the UK is “trying to learn the lessons” from the country’s mass-testing regime.
Raab on testing:
Mr Raab is asked if the target of 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month still stands after it was revealed antibody tests for people at home won’t be ready by then.
The foreign secretary says the government has been “clear on the target and it is important we have made progress so far”.
He adds: “We are striving every sinue to get both sets of tests to the highest levels we can.
“Of course, lots are on high demand, but we will do everything we can on every front. The target still stands.”
More to come soon…
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