Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov, who has been trying to get Ukrainians to take more precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, announced on the evening of Nov. 14 that he tested positive for COVID-19.
“Friends, despite caution and observance of all safety rules, today, unfortunately, I received a positive test for COVID-19.
Now I am in self-isolation, at home. I will work remotely, I will hold daily briefings from here. I urge everyone not to visit crowded places and to comply with quarantine requirements. Please take care of yourself and your family,” Stepanov wrote on his Facebook page.
He joins a growing list of Ukrainian leaders to have contracted the coronavirus, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, First Lady Olena Zelenska, chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko, Defense Minister Andriy Taran, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and many members of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament.
As of Nov 14, Ukraine had a total of 525,176 COVID-19 cases and 9,508 deaths while 238,811 patients have recovered, according to the health ministry.
Ukraine reimposed tougher restrictions, including a nationwide weekend lockdown that closes all non-essential businesses. However, officials in several cities indicated they would ignore the new measures. Ukraine has also imposed fines of $6 to $9 for not wearing masks, but the requirement is widely flouted.
