British PM Boris Johnson returns to work after recovering from coronavirus
- Johnson spent a week in hospital, including three nights in intensive care, later admitting in a video message after he was discharged that things ‘could have gone either way’
- His government has faced increasing criticism over its response to the pandemic, as the death toll in Britain climbed to among the highest in the world
In a statement in Downing Street marking his return to work, looking thinner and with his trademark blond hair a little longer, Johnson apologised for being away “for much longer than I would have liked”.
Their efforts had ensured the state-run National Health Service was not overwhelmed, “and that is how and why we are now beginning to turn the tide”, the 55-year-old said.
Johnson pledged on March 19 that Britain could “turn the tide on coronavirus within 12 weeks” but only if people heeded advice to avoid social contact.
But while acknowledging the concerns of many businesses and increasing numbers of MPs in his own Conservative party about the economic toll, Johnson warned that now was not the time to ease the lockdown.
“I know it is tough and I want to get this economy moving as fast as I can,” the prime minister said.
“But I refuse to throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people and to risk a second major outbreak, a huge loss of life and the overwhelming of the NHS.”