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HEALTH-VIRUS-RUSSIA
Putin spokesman says he has coronavirus
MOSCOW, May 12, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin’s
spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said he tested positive for the
coronavirus and was receiving treatment in hospital, news agencies reported.
“I am ill. I’m being treated,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news
agencies TASS and Interfax, which specified he had COVID-19.
Peskov is the fourth senior government official to have fallen ill, after
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova and
Construction Minister Vladimir Yakushev said they tested positive for the
coronavirus.
None were reported to be in a serious condition, with only Mishustin in
hospital who was still holding some meetings by video link.
Peskov told TASS news agency that he was last in direct contact with Putin
“over a month ago.”
The Russian leader has been staying at his residence outside Moscow for
several weeks and is carrying out meetings and speeches via video link.
Peskov, 52, has served as Putin’s spokesman since 2000. He has not held his
usual daily telephone briefings with reporters since May 6.
Putin on Monday announced that a strict national lockdown would be eased
starting Tuesday, even though the country’s rate of new infections shows no
sign of slowing.
Russia reported 10,899 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday and a total of
232,243 infections. The country has the world’s second highest number of
infections, according to an AFP tally.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1942hrs