Refuse to treat patients without PPE ‘as last resort’, says nursing body, as three nurses die

Carrie Symonds, Boris Johnson’s fiancee, said times “were very dark indeed” as the prime minister battled coronavirus over the past week.

In a series of tweet, she said:

There were times last week that were very dark indeed. My heart goes out to all those in similar situations, worried sick about their loved ones.

Thank you also to everyone who sent such kind messages of support. Today I’m feeling incredibly lucky.

Tributes are continuing to pour in for The Goodies star Tim Brooke-Taylor, who has died aged 79 after contracting coronavirus.

His Goodies co-star Graeme Garden said he was “terribly saddened by the loss of a dear colleague and close friend of over 50 years”.

He said in a statement: “Tim and I met at Cambridge University in the early 1960s and have enjoyed working together almost constantly from that time onwards, on radio, stage, and TV.

“He was a funny, sociable, generous man who was a delight to work with. Audiences found him not only hilarious but also adorable.

“His loss at this dreadful time is particularly hard to bear, and my thoughts are with Christine, Ben, Edward and their families.”

He was a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue for over 40 years, and current host Jack Dee paid tribute: “It has come as devastating news to hear that Tim has succumbed to this dreadful virus – especially when we all thought he was recovering.

“Tim was a delightful man and never anything but great company.

“It’s always heartbreaking to lose a loved one, but these times have created the cruelest of circumstances for that to happen in.”

Boris Johnson’s fiance, Carrie Symonds, has Tweeted her thanks to the NHS after the prime minister was discharged from hospital.

“I cannot thank our magnificent NHS enough,” she said. “The staff at St Thomas’ Hospital have been incredible.

“I will never, ever be able to repay you and I will never stop thanking you.”

Boris Johnson discharged from hospital

Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital, Downing Street has confirmed.

The prime minister was first admitted to hospital at 8pm Sunday 5 April and then transferred to intensive care the following day after his symptoms “worsened”.

He left the intensive care ward on Thursday evening and released a short statement on Saturday night praising staff at St Thomas’ hospital in London where he was being treated.

“I can’t thank them enough, I owe them my life,” he said.

On Sunday morning, business secretary Alok Sharma said on Sky News that Johnson was “in very good spirits” and that he was “walking about a bit”.

Comedian and actor Tim Brooke-Taylor has died after contracting coronavirus, his agent said.

The 79-year-old was probably most famous as part of television comedy trio, The Goodies

Football legend Sir Kenny Dalglish has left hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, and thanked the “absolutely brilliant” NHS workers who treated him.

The 69-year-old was admitted to hospital on Wednesday for treatment on gallstones, including intravenous antibiotics.

Dalglish underwent a coronavirus test which returned a positive diagnosis for Covid-19. He did not show any symptoms and is now recovering in self-isolation at home.

“I’d just like to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff for looking after me,” Dalglish wrote in the Sunday Post. “They were absolutely brilliant.

“People may think the Dalglish name got me in and got me the best of care,” he added. “Not so. I was looked after because the NHS staff treat everyone the same. They look upon everyone as human beings.”