Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who made his first public appearance on Monday after recovering from COVID-19, said the country was "beginning to turn the tide" in tackling the virus but indicated no immediate lifting of lockdown restrictions.

It was still too dangerous to relax a stringent lockdown hammering the economy as that may cause a deadly second outbreak, he noted.

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Speaking outside his Downing Street residence a month and a day since testing positive for the virus which threatened his life, Johnson compared the disease to a street criminal that the British people had wrestled to the floor.

Stressing it was still a time of maximum risk, he said he understood the concerns of business and would consult with opposition parties – but he made clear that there was to be no swift lifting of the lockdown.

"We simply cannot spell out now how fast or slow or even when those changes will be made, though clearly the government will be saying much more about this in the coming days," Johnson said, looking healthy again.

"If we can show the same spirit of unity and determination as we've all shown in the past six weeks then I have absolutely no doubt that we will beat it."

Johnson faces calls from within his own party to ease restrictions and will also find a letter in his in-tray from new opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer asking for details on a potential lifting of the lockdown. 

While Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary who has deputized in Johnson's absence, said on Sunday that lockdown rules would "be with us for some time" and were the "new normal," adding that ministers could not "allow the coronavirus to get a grip back on the country."

In response, the prime minister said during Monday's address that "we must also recognize the risk of a second spike, the risk of losing control of that virus and letting the reproduction rate go back over one because that would mean not only a new wave of death and disease but also an economic disaster."

"I ask you to contain your impatience because I believe we are coming now to the end of the first phase of this conflict and in spite of all the suffering we have so nearly succeeded," he added.

Back but facing problems  

Britain has been one of the countries worst affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, with the number of deaths reaching 20,732 in the days before Johnson's return. 

The actual toll could be much higher when deaths in the community are taken into account, particularly at care homes.

The rise in fatalities put the spotlight on the government's approach and led to questions about shortages in protective equipment and a lack of widespread testing, particularly for front line health staff. 

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One major decision Johnson will face is whether or not to relax strict social distancing rules which he introduced on March 23.

This was extended on April 16 and a review is due on May 7, with pressure building from political allies and foes for the government to make clear its intentions over extending or relaxing the lockdown.

(Cover: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks outside 10 Downing Street after recovering from COVID-19, London, Britain, April 27, 2020. /Reuters)

(With input from Reuters, AFP)