Capt Sir Tom Moore, the Second World War veteran who inspired Britons in the first wave of the Covid-19 crisis last year while raising millions for charity, has been admitted to hospital with pneumonia after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Mr Moore, 100, had been treated at home but was taken to hospital on Sunday for help with his breathing.
He became a symbol of hope after raising £39 million ($53.4m) for England’s National Health Service by completing circuits of his nursing-home garden with his walking frame.
“Over the last few weeks he was being treated for pneumonia and last week tested positive for Covid-19,” his daughter Hannah said on his Twitter feed.
“The medical care he has received in the last few weeks has been remarkable and we know that the wonderful staff at Bedford Hospital will do all they can to make him comfortable and hopefully return home as soon as possible.
“We understand that everyone will be wishing him well. We are, of course, focusing on my father and will update you when we are able to.”
Mr Moore was knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II for his fundraising efforts.
The Queen, who is 94, had been sheltering at Windsor Castle since March because of the coronavirus outbreak but carried out the official engagement in person using a sword that belonged to her father, King George VI.
Buckingham Palace said it was the first time the “unique” format for the ceremony had taken place.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson nominated Sir Tom for the award in May, prompting his intended recipient to quip: "I hope she's not very heavy-handed with the sword."
He also had a No1 music single, wrote a book and signed a deal to film a biopic of his life.
