BORIS Johnson is preparing to head back to work first thing next week after a rough stint in a London hospital.
The PM has had a rough month battling coronavirus at Chequers and St Thomas', but now Johnson is coming back to lead Britain out of lockdown.
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Where is Boris Johnson?
The Prime Minister is still recovering after falling seriously ill with COVID-19 earlier this month.
He has been residing in his countryside residence in Chequers since being discharged from hospital on April 11.
Over the past week, his office has reported he has been increasing the number of daily walks and gradually increasing his workload, culminating in regular calls with cabinet ministers as well as President Trump and the Queen.
When will Boris be back to work as Prime Minister?
The PM is reportedly determined to be back at No10 on Monday, April 27, to direct plans to get the country moving again.
He's been on doctors' orders to stay off work during his recovery but has been having chats with the Queen, his Cabinet and the US President.
He is said to have told aides to schedule meetings with Cabinet ministers next week to get up to speed.
“He’s not the sort of person who is very good at doing nothing. In truth, he has been working pretty much full time for the past week,” a cabinet source told the Telegraph.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Friday: "I spoke to him yesterday, he's cheerful, and he's ebullient and he's definitely on the mend in a big way. When exactly he comes back is a matter for him and his doctors".
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The PM had previously set his sights on returning before May 11 when the extended lockdown is due to end — and critical decisions must be taken on the next step.
Downing Street aides stressed Boris must recover fully from coronavirus before stand-in Dominic Raab hands over.
When did he get coronavirus and how long was he in hospital?
Boris, 55, is believed to be bouncing back from the infection that had him hospitalised on April 5 with persistent symptoms.
He was described as “exhausted but euphoric” as he was declared well enough to leave the intensive care unit on Thursday, April 9.
He was formally discharged on Easter Sunday, April 12.
He waved at doctors and nurses on the way out and effusively thanked any member of staff who came within eyeshot.
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Where has he been recuperating?
Mr Johnson has been in isolation at Chequers, the lavish country estate that acts as a second home for Prime Ministers.
The beautiful mansion sits near the village of Ellesborough in Buckinghamshire, 41 miles from Downing Street.
What has he said about the NHS staff who treated him?
Boris told friends the care he had received at St Thomas' had been “exemplary” and added: “I can’t thank them enough. I owe them my life.”
He singled out Nurse Jenny McGee as the person who saved his life, leaving the New Zeland nurse "shocked" when she heard the news.
The PM showed appreciation by clapping his medics just two hours after being wheeled out of intensive care and back to a normal ward at St Thomas’ Hospital.
Several patients joined in, turning a gentle ripple to a rousing round of applause that echoed throughout the general ward.
Who has been running the country while Boris is recovering?
In Boris' absence Michael Gove has been chairing a daily meeting with Dominic Raab, Matt Hancock and Rishi Sunak – dubbed “the quad” – to discuss key decisions.
Mr Gove told Sky's Sophy Ridge: "The Prime Minister is recovering well. He's in cheerful spirits.
"And he had the opportunity to talk to Dominic Raab, his deputy, the First Secretary of State.”
"And the Prime Minister's instructions to the rest of us in Government were communicated by the First Secretary of State when we had a conference call yesterday morning."
This was echoed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who told Sky News he had spoken with the PM on April 23.
Hancock described the PM as "in good shape and on very good form" adding "He’s clearly recovering."
Housing minister Robert Jenrick said at a press briefing: “He’s resting and recuperating at Chequers, he’s taking his doctor’s advice.
"He has had some contact with ministers, but mostly with his private office here at Downing Street.”
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