MOSCOW: The head of the largest coronavirus hospital in Moscow, who met with President Vladimir Putin a week ago, tested positive for coronavirus, he said Tuesday, as the Kremlin confirmed that the health of the Russian leader was good.
Denis Protsenko met last Tuesday with the Russian leader who had visited the Kommunarka hospital while wearing a bright yellow hazmat suit. Yet Putin, 67, has also been seen talking to Protsenko without any protective equipment.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, immediately told Russian news agencies that Putin had taken routine tests and there was no need to be worried about his health.
“Everything is fine,” Peskov said. Protsenko said he tested positive but “felt quite well”.
Posting a photo of himself wearing a mask and green scrubs, he said he has self-isolated in office and will continue work.
Protsenko has become a high-profile figure on the frontlines of Russia’s battle against COVID-19, posting on Facebook daily to remind Russians of the work and patients of his hospital.
Russian officials have recorded 500 new cases in the past 24 hours — the highest daily spike so far — taking the overall count to 2,337 cases and 17 fatalities.
Most were reported in Moscow which became the epicenter of Russia’s outbreak.
The Kremlin has begun monitoring the temperatures of people attending events with the president since the start of the pandemic, telling journalists feel unwell to stay at home.
Observers suggest the Russian strongman seems to be highly mindful of the health risks.
