BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine President Alberto Fernandez has tested positive for the new coronavirus and is in good condition despite a mild fever, the first-term Peronist leader said on Saturday.
“I am in good physical condition,” the president, who turned 62 on Friday, said in a tweet. He received the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus earlier this year.
“I would have liked to end my birthday without this news, but I am in a good mood,” Fernandez added.
He is isolated according to COVID-19 protocols, but remains at work. The vice president of Argentina is the former leader of the country, Cristina Fernandez, who has no relationship with the president.
The Russian Gamaleya Institute, which developed the vaccine, issued an open statement to Alberto Fernandez, saying that Sputnik V is 91.6% effective against infections and 100% effective against severe cases of coronavirus.
“If the infection is confirmed, vaccination ensures a speedy recovery without severe symptoms. We wish you a speedy recovery! ” said.
Argentina has been in a blockade of varying degrees for more than a year against the pandemic. COVID-19 has so far killed more than 56,000 people in the country. About 682,868 Argentines have been vaccinated so far, giving priority to the elderly and health workers, the government says.
Reporting by Eliana Raszewski and Hugh Bronstein in Buenos Aires Editing by William Mallard and Matthew Lewis