Raab, Whitty arrive at Downing St; Argar comment

Britain's government sought Wednesday to keep a grip on the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic as Prime Minister Boris Johnson started a third day in the intensive care unit of a London hospital being treated for COVID-19.

UK Health Minister Edward Argar said Wednesday that Johnson is receiving oxygen but still did not require a ventilator, suggesting the prime minister's condition had not worsened further.

Britain was slower than many other European nations to close schools, shut businesses and restrict people's movements in a bid to curb infections, and the government has struggled to meet its goal of dramatically increasing the number of individuals tested for the virus.

Britain has no official post of deputy or acting prime minister, but Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to temporarily take over many of the prime minister's duties to lead the country's response to the pandemic.

In Johnson's absence, it's unclear who would decide whether to ease nationwide lockdown measures the British government imposed on March 23.

The initial three-week period set for the restrictions expires next week, but with cases and deaths still growing, officials say it is too soon to change course.