London (dpa) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital after being treated for Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, a government spokesman said.

Johnson left St. Thomas' Hospital in central London on Sunday but will not immediately take up his duties as prime minister, the spokesman added.

The 55-year-old conservative politician was hospitalized a week ago running a high fever and spent three days in the intensive care unit.

In a statement late on Saturday, Johnson said of the health workers who took care of him: "I owe them my life."