The PM was taken ill on Sunday after he continued to suffer symptoms of coronavirus, 10 days after testing positive for the disease.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is now likely to chair the daily Covid-19 meeting for ministers and officials, which is usually led by Johnson.

Raab is Johnson’s deputy and is permitted to stand in if the PM becomes too unwell to lead.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘On the advice of his doctor, the Prime Minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests.

‘This is a precautionary step, as the Prime Minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus.

‘The Prime Minister thanks NHS staff for all of their incredible hard work and urges the public to continue to follow the Government’s advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.’

Johnson was not admitted into hospital on an emergency basis, the spokesperson added.

He remains in charge of the government is in contact with ministerial colleagues and officials.

The Prime Minister first announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19 on March 27, stating that he had ‘mild symptoms’ of the virus.