London, April 27 (TIWN) In his first briefing to the nation after recovering from the novel coronavirus, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday said that the country was at the moment of maximum risk in the pandemic, and urged people not to lose patience with the ongoing lockdown.

Speaking outside No 10 after he returned to Downing Street on Sunday evening, Johnson said "we are now beginning to turn the tide" on the disease, the BBC reported.  Johnson thanked his colleagues who stood in while he was away, as well as the public for their "sheer grit and guts".