Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recovering in a hospital ward after ending three days in intensive care for COVID- 19 , as his government urged Britons to stay at home over Easter.

The 55 – year- old leader left intensive care at London ’ s St Thomas’ Hospital on Thursday evening and will now be monitored closely during what Downing Street called “ the early phase of his recovery” .

“ He is in extremely good spirits , ” a No . 10 spokesman said .

Johnson ’ s improving condition came as the government continues to impose an unprecedented nationwide lockdown to try to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus .

It announced another 881 deaths on Thursday , taking the UK total to 7 , 978 , with more than 65 , 000 cases so far confirmed .

That is thought to reflect only a fraction of the actual number of people infected .

Despite the grim tolls , there were indications the stringent social distancing regime introduced on March 23 could be starting to have a positive impact .

“ We are beginning to see the benefits of this social distancing , ” said Stephen Powis , medical director of England ’ s state – run National Health Service .

“ We do believe the virus is spreading less , ” he told the BBC.

But Powis stressed it was “ critical ” that people keep obeying the social distancing measures over the long Easter weekend, when fine weather in forecast .

“ It’ s still too early to really be confident that we are turning the corner, ” he added .

“ We need to completely and utterly make sure that we all comply with the instructions we have been given. ”