Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tests negative for coronavirus

KABUL (AFP): Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has tested negative for the novel coronavirus after virus outbreak among presidential staff members.

In this regard, Ghani’s spokesman Sediq Sediqqi took to Twitter and said, “COVID-19 tests were conducted for President Ghani and the first lady on their request. Both results are negative.”

He further said, “The President is healthy and is leading government efforts on all fronts. All precautions are in place to make sure his work environment is safe and healthy.”

COVID19 tests were conducted for the President and the First Lady on their own request. Both results are negative. The President is healthy and is leading government efforts on all fronts. All precautions are in place to make sure his work environment is safe and healthy.

— Sediq Sediqqi (@SediqSediqqi) April 21, 2020

Earlier on Saturday, Afghan government officials informed that about 20 workers in Kabul’s presidential palace and a dozen more in an adjoining office had contracted the virus.

Earlier today, President Ghani in his address to the nation said, “Coronavirus took all by surprise. However, we, from the first days, took this virus seriously and by the grace of God the number of fatalities in our country is lower as compared to other countries.”

Pakistan’ Prime Minister Imran Khan will also be tested for coronavirus, the officials confirmed. The decision came after Faisal Edhi tested positive for the virus. He met with PM Imran last week in Islamabad.

So far, coronavirus has claimed the lives of almost 36 people across Afghanistan and has affected more than 1,000 people, according to the Afghan health ministry.