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Monday morning news briefing: PM in hospital with virus

Boris Johnson had insisted it was business as usual, chairing meetings by conference call   - Andrew Parsons/Number 10
Boris Johnson had insisted it was business as usual, chairing meetings by conference call - Andrew Parsons/Number 10

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Boris Johnson in hospital for coronavirus treatment

For 10 days, Boris Johnson had done his best to present a brave face to the world as he fought his own personal battle against the coronavirus that has brought Britain to its knees. But the Prime Minister was admitted to hospital last night after failing to shake off symptoms. He spent last night in hospital as he underwent tests after continuing to report a high temperature. Aides insist that Mr Johnson remains in charge of the Government. But Dominic Raab is expected to chair this morning's meeting of the coronavirus "war cabinet". This is everything we know about Mr Johnson's illness. Chief Political Correspondent Christopher Hope has a reconstruction of how Mr Johnson tried to run the country from his coronavirus sickbed. And this is the chain of command if he cannot continue as Prime Minister.

The announcement was made just over an hour after the Queen's address to the nation. Hannah Furness says the monarch evoked memories of Britain's Blitz spirit as she likened the pain of the coronavirus lockdown to wartime separation, but promised: "We will meet again." Harry Mount looks at how the Queen compared lockdown measures to wartime evacuations and Camilla Tominey analyses how Her Majesty gave us comfort, hope and a united resolve that we need now more than ever. In extraordinary times, we are giving readers the opportunity to come together as a community. Join our new Facebook group.

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Medical chief resigns after breaking her own rules

Scotland's chief medical officer last night finally bowed to pressure to resign after police issued her with a warning for twice travelling to her family's second home during the coronavirus lockdown. Simon Johnson explains how Dr Catherine Calderwood flouted her own public advice to stop all but essential travel. It came as Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned that outdoor exercise in public spaces could be banned if people continued to flout lockdown rules. See pictures of police scolding sunbathers. But does lying in the sun really put lives at risk? Science Editor Sarah Knapton asks the experts. And a government adviser has given the first hint of Britain's lockdown exit strategy.

'Light at end of tunnel’: Death rates fall across Europe

And some good news… death and infection rates have fallen in Italy, Spain, France and Germany over the weekend, raising hopes that the coronavirus pandemic may be peaking. In Italy - which reported its smallest daily death toll in more than two weeks yesterday - Angelo Borreli, head of the civil protection authority, said: "This is very important. It allows our hospitals to breathe." David Chazan examines the situation across Europe. And use our live tracker to follow the disease's spread - and search for cases in your local area.

At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

Comment and analysis

You Are Not Alone: Surviving coronavirus lockdown

  1. Keeping fit | How much exercise to boost immunity - but not make myself ill?

  2. Mind healing | Can siblings be a replacement for friends during lockdown?

  3. You Are Not Alone newsletter Community spirit, advice and tips for coping with isolation

Business and money briefing

Runaway inflation ruled out | The Governor of the Bank of England has insisted the UK will not fall into an inflationary spiral because of the coronavirus crisis. As Louis Ashworth reports, Andrew Bailey said the Bank is not engaging in "monetary financing", in which a central bank permanently expands its balance sheet to fund the government.

Gallery: Virus fightback around the world

Border control | A woman shields her child's face from disinfectant sprayed by the Venezuelan national police on citizens who have just crossed the Simón Bolívar International Bridge at Cúcata, on the border with Colombia. View our gallery for more images from around the world.

Since the first Covid-19 diagnosis in Colombia, 32 deaths have been confirmed. CREDIT: AFP - AFP
Since the first Covid-19 diagnosis in Colombia, 32 deaths have been confirmed. CREDIT: AFP - AFP

Also in the news today

Singer's ordeal | Duffy has shared a harrowing account of being raped, drugged and held captive for weeks - and said she was telling her "dark" story to help "others who have suffered the same". Read the singer's post of how she was drugged at a restaurant on her birthday before being held captive in her own home and taken to a foreign country.

 

And finally...

Left waiting | Historian Lucy Worsley may be better acquainted with the demands of monarchs like Henry VIII than the whims of Hollywood royalty. But the presenter has revealed she was once stood up by film star Johnny Depp at Hampton Court Palace.