Boris Johnson 'planning return to work as soon as Monday' as he continues coronavirus recovery

Boris Johnson is reportedly planning to return to work as soon as next Monday to take back control of the coronavirus crisis.

Earlier this month, the Prime Minister was discharged from hospital and was continuing his recovery from Covid-19 at his country residence of Chequers.

But Mr Johnson has told aides to schedule catch-up meetings with individual Cabinet ministers next week so he can get fully up to speed, according to the Telegraph.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock fuelled the rumours during an interview with Sky News on Friday morning, describing the PM as being in "good shape".

Asked if his boss would be back at at the helm on Monday, Mr Hancock replied: "We'll see."

Donald Trump said Mr Johnson “sound incredible” when the two leaders spoke on the phone earlier this week.

Mr Johnson scheduled calls with both the US President and the Queen this week as part of a gradual return to work.

Mr Trump seemed to take the view that Mr Johnson is well on the way to return, saying: “I will tell you he sounded incredible”.

The US leader told reporters at his Covid-19 press briefing on Thursday night: "I was actually surprised… he was ready to go.

“I'm very surprised to tell you this. It's like the old Boris, tremendous energy, tremendous drive.”

He added: "Because he called me almost pretty close to when he got out of the hospital, I think he's doing great.

"He was so sharp and energetic, pretty incredible. He's an incredible guy.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been standing in for Mr Johnson for the last few weeks while he recovers at Chequers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson - In pictures

PMQ session in London
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Suggestions Mr Johnson could soon return to work come as he faces criticism for reacting too slowly to the virus outbreak.

The UK is at or near the peak of a health crisis with the number of deaths related to coronavirus hitting 18,738 - the fifth highest national death toll from the pandemic.

The death toll rose by 638, up from 18,100 the day before.

Of the 638 new deaths announced, 616 were new, while 22 were as a result of Northern Ireland adjusting its data.

And of the hospital deaths 514 were in England, where the highest death toll in a single day remains 838 on April 8.

A number of the UK's top scientists maintain that April 8 was the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

As the hospital death toll continues to rise, it is believed the true number of fatalities will be far higher, when deaths in the community - such as care homes - are accounted for.

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