Trump Says US Drug Firms in UK Scrambling For Covid-19 Cure After PM Johnson Sent To ICU

By Staff, Agencies

American pharmaceutical firms are meeting in London to work out treatments for coronavirus-stricken British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was sent to intensive care after his condition deteriorated over the weekend, US President Donald Trump said.

“We’re very saddened to hear that [Johnson] was taken into intensive care this afternoon. Americans are all praying for his recovery,” Trump said at a press briefing on Monday, adding that several “genius” drug companies had “arrived in London already” to discuss therapeutics for Johnson.

Trump noted that the companies were working on “rather complex” treatments which have had “incredible” results, though did not get into specifics about which drugs were under consideration.

“It’s a very complex treatment of things that they’ve just recently developed,” Trump claimed, adding “when you're in intensive care, that's a big deal” and that “hopefully they won’t be needed.”

Johnson was admitted to the hospital over the weekend some 10 days after testing positive for Covid-19, and was moved into an ICU on Monday after his condition worsened, requiring oxygen for breathing difficulties.

Johnson remains conscious, according to a spokesperson, but because the illness will prevent the PM from fulfilling some of his duties, he has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to stand in for him when needed.