Speaking outside No.10 this morning, the PM warned the nation not to let up as he returned to work for the first time since his own battle with the virus.
The PM hasn’t been seen since he made a video statement to the nation on April 12 after spending a week in hospital.
Speaking today, he said: “We are making progress, with fewer hospital admissions, few Covid patients in ICU, and there are real signs now we are passing through the peak.
“Thanks to your forbearance, your good sense, your altruism, your spirit of community, thanks to our collective national resolve we are on the brink of achieving that first clear mission to prevent our NHS from being overwhelmed in a way that tragically we have seen elsewhere.
“That is how and why we are beginning to turn the tide.
“If this virus were a physical assailant, an unexpected and invisible mugger, which I can tell you from personal experience it is, then this is the moment when we have begun together to wrestle it to the floor.”
The PM also praised the nation for their contribution.
He said: “I want to thank the people of the country for the sheer grit and guts you have shown and are continuing to show.
“Every day I know that this this virus brings new sadness and mourning to households across the land.
“This is the biggest single challenge this country has faced since the war, and I no ways minimise the continuing problems we face.”
Mr Johnson has spent a fortnight recovering from coronavirus after a bout that saw him sent to an intensive care ward for several days.
The PM, who was discharged from St Thomas’ Hospital in Central London two weeks ago, is said to have spent the past week easing back into his workload.
He spoke with Donald Trump and had an audience over the phone with the Queen, too.
Since leaving hospital, he has been recovering at his country retreat with his pregnant fiancee Ms Symonds – also believed to have had the deadly bug.
