Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital in central London after overcoming the worst part of his battle with coronavirus.
The 55-year-old spent a week at St Thomas' Hospital, including three days in intensive care, but has now been deemed fit enough to leave.
A spokesman for the PM confirmed that he would be heading to Chequers, his official retreat in Buckinghamshire, in order to recuperate further.
A Downing Street statement said: "The PM has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery at Chequers. On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work.
"He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas' for the brilliant care he has received. All his thoughts are with those affected by this illness."
Johnson's pregnant fiancée Carrie Symonds tweeted: "I cannot thank our magnificent NHS enough. 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.
"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."
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab is Johnson's de-facto deputy during the crisis, which has claimed 110,000 lives worldwide to date - including more than 10,000 in the UK.
Neil Wilkes
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