British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is getting better in intensive care where he is battling COVID-19 as his government extended its overdraft facility and reviewed the most stringent shut down in peacetime history.

Johnson, 55, was admitted to St Thomas’ hospital on Sunday evening, April 5, with a persistent high temperature and cough and was rushed to intensive care on Monday. He has received oxygen support but has not been put on a ventilator.

"Things are getting better for him," his culture minister Oliver Dowden said today. "He’s stable, improving, sat up and engaged with medical staff."

U.S. President Donald Trump said Johnson appeared to be doing "better" after what he described as a "tough bout".

Read: British PM tests positive for COVID-19