President Vladimir Putin is now facing a major health concern after a top Russian Coronavirus doctor tested positive for COVID-19, just one week after their meeting and handshake.
Denis Protsenko, the 44-year-old head of Konnunarka infectious disease hospital, was visited by Putin last week, and the two were photographed in close proximity while shaking hands without protective gear.
A meeting took place in Protsenko’s office with other top officials, including Russian deputy premier Tatiana Golikova, 54, who is responsible for Russia’s coronavirus policy.
On Tuesday, Chief doctor of Kommunarka hospital Denis Protsenko announced on his Facebook page that he has tested positive for coronavirus.
He wrote: ‘Dear friends, I am very moved by your concern. Yes indeed I have been tested positive for CoV, but I am feeling myself quite all right. I have isolated myself in my office where there is everything for remote work, management and telemedicine consultations. I think that the immunity developed during this month must be doing its job…. Stay tuned.’
The Russian government has reassured citizens today by stating that President Putin regularly undergoes coronavirus testing and ‘everything is okay’.