Boris Johnson arrives to attend an event in London. File

“The prime minister is back on a ward and continuing his recovery which is at an early stage. He continues to be in very good spirits,” the spokesman told reporters.

“The PM is just beginning his recovery and he will be taking his advice from his medical team,” the spokesman said when asked when the British leader would return to work.

“I was told he was waving his thanks to all of the nurses and doctors that he saw as he was moved from the intensive care unit back to the ward. The hospital said that he was in extremely good spirits last night.” “The prime minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest, as part of the care he is receiving,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

“He has spoken to his doctors and thanks the whole clinical team for the incredible care he has received.” Johnson’s improving condition came as the government continues to impose an unprecedented nationwide lockdown to try to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

It announced another 881 deaths on Thursday, taking the UK total to 7,978, with more than 65,000 cases so far confirmed.

That is thought to reflect only a fraction of the actual number of people infected because not everyone has been tested for the virus.

Despite the grim tolls, there were indications the stringent social distancing regime introduced on March 23 could be starting to have a positive impact.

“We are beginning to see the benefits of this social distancing,” said Stephen Powis, medical director of England’s state-run National Health Service (NHS).

“We do believe the virus is spreading less,” he told the BBC.

But Powis stressed it was “critical” that people keep obeying the social distancing measures over the long Easter weekend, when fine weather in forecast. “It’s still too early to really be confident that we are turning the corner,” he added.

“We need to completely and utterly make sure that we all comply with the instructions we have been given.” Johnson is the most high-profile world leader to suffer from the coronavirus.

Reuters