Bulgarian president in quarantine after aide tests positive for COVID-19

Bulgaria’s president Rumen Radev is self-isolating after his chief of staff tested positive for the coronavirus, the presidency said on Thursday.

Radev’s office said that secretary-general Dimitar Stoyanov was diagnosed with COVID-19. It added that Stoyanov had been on leave since Monday, and his last contact with staff at the presidential administration occurred three days earlier.

Radev and employees who had been in contact with Stoyanov are to carry out their duties remotely while under quarantine, the presidency said.

Bulgaria is currently struggling to contain a rise in coronavirus infections. As of Thursday, the government closed universities, high schools, and nightclubs for two weeks, as authorities reported a new daily record of 2,760 infections.

On Sunday, prime minister Boyko Borissov said he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Central Bank Governor Dimitar Radev is also in quarantine after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The country has so far reported more than 45,000 infections and  nearly 1,200 deaths from the disease.