Coronavirus: PM making 'very good progress' after night of playing games and watching films

Boris Johnson is making "very good progress" as he continues his recovery from COVID-19, Downing Street has said.

The prime minister has been playing games and watching films in hospital.

There was no update on when he is likely to be discharged.

The movies the PM has been watching are said to include Withnail And I, starring Richard E Grant, and the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

He has also been doing sudoku.

"The prime minister continues to make very good progress," a Downing Street spokesperson said in a brief daily update.

The prime minister's fiancee Carrie Symonds has sent him letters and baby scans to lift his spirits during his time in intensive care.

Ms Symonds sent daily updates, including images of their unborn child, according to a Downing Street source.

The couple have not seen each other since he was admitted to hospital almost a week ago.

After coming out of intensive care, the prime minister recently became able to take short walks between periods of rest while being treated for coronavirus on a low-dependency ward.

Mr Johnson was taken to St Thomas' hospital in central London on Sunday night - 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19.

Fears grew for his health when his symptoms worsened and he was transferred to intensive care the following day.

He was later said to be in "good spirits" and "engaging positively" with doctors and continues to improve.

Environmental campaigner Ms Symonds, who is due to give birth in two months, has also been ill with coronavirus-like symptoms in recent weeks, but has not been tested.

Sky News political correspondent Rob Powell said Number 10 had difficult decisions to make about re-involving Mr Johnson in the fight against COVID-19.

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"The balance for the government will be taking the medical advice that the prime minister is getting at St Thomas' Hospital - taking that seriously, and allowing him enough time to recuperate fully, but also at some point maybe looking to involve him in some of the decision making," he said.

After that, Downing Street will perhaps start to include the PM in its messaging, to give the public "a sense that the prime minister is involved in some of the crucial decisions that are coming in the next few weeks and months".