LONDON (AP) – The U.K. recorded almost 1,000 more COVID-19 deaths Friday than the day before, taking total deaths in the country to almost 9,000. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s condition is improving in a London hospital. But Johnson’s father says the the prime minister needs time to recover from the new coronavirus and is unlikely to be back at work soon. The 55-year-old U.K. leader spent three nights in the intensive care unit at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London and was moved back to a regular ward on Thursday evening. His father, Stanley Johnson, said the prime minister needs to “rest up.” Meanwhile, millions of Britons are beginning the Easter holiday weekend in lockdown.