Boris Johnson urges people not to lose patience with the lockdown.

For the first time since recovering from the virus, Mr Johnson spoke outside No 10, saying "we are now beginning to turn the tide" on the disease.

However, he added that he refuses "to throw away all the effort and sacrifice" of the public and relax the lockdown too soon.

Mr Johnson apologised for being "away from my desk for much longer than I would've liked" and thanked his colleagues who stood in for him - as well as the public for their "sheer grit and guts".

He said he understands the concerns from business-owners who are impatient to end the lockdown, but warned a second peak of the outbreak could lead to "economic disaster".

"I ask you to contain your impatience," he said.