DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria’s first couple are on their way to recovery nine days after testing positive for the coronavirus, President Bashar Assad’s office said Wednesday. Assad, 55, and his wife have had mild symptoms of the illness and are continuing their work as usual from home. They plan return to normal life once they test negative for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, the presidency said. The pandemic, which has severely tested even developed countries, has been a major challenge for Syria’s health care sector, already depleted by years of conflict. The announcement came days after international and Israeli media reports revealed that Israel paid Russia $1.2 million to provide the Syrian government with coronavirus vaccines.

Source: Egypt Independent March 17, 2021 11:37 UTC