Tory sources claim he is now resisting calls to end the lockdown early because of his battle with the virus.
A Conservative MP told The Times that fighting for his life in intensive care had changed the Prime Minister.
They said: “The Prime Minister is in a funny place, I think he’s quite frightened.
“His illness and the warning from the doctors has really hit him hard.
“To find himself floored like this has got into his head.
“He has become really tentative.”
It comes amid a Cabinet divide over whether to end the lockdown to early to avoid a second wave, or lift it to try and avoid a bigger economic crisis.
Mr Johnson had stressed back in March he expected the country to be able to “turn the tide” in 12 weeks.
Now recovering at Chequers after being released from hospital a week ago, the PM is considered one of the “doves” who oppose lifting lockdown early.
He is joined by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who also contracted the virus.
The “hawks” are those more worried about the economic impact of a long-term shutdown and want to ease restrictions sooner.
This is said to include Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the Trade Secretary Liz Truss and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove.
The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Education Secretary Gavin Williams and Business Secretary Alok Sharma are said to be undecided.
Britain has been in full lockdown for four weeks so far – since March 23 – and is due to have another two weeks of shutdown at least.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said some plans to lift some lockdown measures could be set out this week.
She said earlier that their aims will be to suppress the virus while restoring some kind of normality, adding: “We will need to learn to live with this virus.”
It came as the UK announced 449 more coronavirus deaths taking Britain’s total death toll to 16,509.
It is the lowest daily number for a fortnight, since April 6 when 439 victims were confirmed.
