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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Abbianca Makoni

Belarus president tests positive for Covid-19 after previously dismissing virus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus, 18 July 2012. EPA/EKATERINA SHTUKINA / RIA NOVOSTI / GOVERNMENT PRESS SERVICE / PO Mandatory credit (Picture: EPA/EKATERINA SHTUKINA)

The president of Belarus, who has previously dismissed concerns about coronavirus, says he has tested positive for Covid-19 and is asymptomatic.

Alexander Lukashenko made the announcement at a meeting with security officials, the state news agency Belta reported.

He had previously referred to concerns about coronavirus as "psychosis".

He said: “Today you are meeting with a person who managed to survive the coronavirus on his feet. Doctors made such a conclusion yesterday: asymptomatic.”

Belarus took no comprehensive measures against coronavirus such as lockdowns or ordering social distancing.

The country has about 67,000 confirmed cases of infection and 543 reported deaths.

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