COVID-19: Syrian president Bashar al Assad and wife test positive for coronavirus

President Assad's office says the couple first took a test when they felt minor coronavirus symptoms.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has tested positive for COVID-19. Pic: Reuters
Image: Syria's President Bashar al Assad has tested positive for COVID-19. Pic: Reuters
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Syria's President Bashar al Assad and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19, his office has confirmed.

Officials said 55-year-old President Assad and his wife Asma are both in "good health and in a stable condition".

The pair will return to work after spending two to three weeks in isolation in their home.

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In a statement, Mr Assad's office said the couple took PCR tests after they felt minor symptoms consistent with coronavirus.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stands next to his wife Asma, as he addresses injured soldiers and their mothers during a celebration marking Syrian Mother's Day in Damascus
Image: Syria's President Bashar al Assad stands next to his wife Asma, as he addresses injured soldiers and their mothers during a celebration marking Syrian Mother's Day in Damascus

Syria, which marks 10 years of war next week, has recorded nearly 16,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 1,000 deaths from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The country began a vaccination campaign last week, but no details have been given about the process.

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The health minister said the government procured the vaccines from a friendly country, which he declined to name.

It was not immediately clear if Mr Assad and his family members have been vaccinated.