President of Syria Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma, have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement by the presidential office.

The couple were in good health and would continue to work while in isolation at home for a period of two to three weeks, it said on Monday.

Syria has seen a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections since mid-February but lockdown options remain limited due to the country’s dire economic situation, a member of the country’s coronavirus advisory committee said last week.

Al-Assad’s government started administering COVID-19 vaccinations to front-line healthcare workers on March 1.

 

 

SOURCE : AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES