National Security Advisor Theodor Saradjev informed the President he had tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the third Lostislandic official to contract coronavirus and sixth Lostislandic citizen overall.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after a previous COVID-19 case was confirmed in Lostisland, leading Prime Minister Denys Tezdzhanenko to make an unprecedented decision to ban all reunions of citizens until further notice. Saradjev’s symptoms appear to be consistent with those of flu, and he is currently isolated at home.
With 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19, in a population of 303, the incidence of coronavirus in Lostisland is now 1.98%: up from 1.65% just a day ago and comparable with Denmark. Since Lostislandic citizens are not required to report their health status to Lostisland, the total number of citizens who tested positive may be higher than the number of confirmed cases. Citizens of Lostisland who had or still have COVID-19 and who were not included in the official tally are encouraged, but not required, to fill in the COVID-19 Questionnaire, which would help the government correctly evaluate the magnitude of the pandemic in Lostisland, and if needed, provide assistance.
Theodor Saradjev became the third Lostislandic official to contract COVID-19, after Ambassador to the US Robert Meyer and Deputy Prime Minister Maria Ostroukhova, who already recovered successfully, as well as the third Russian Lostislandian who tests positive: two other cases were reported in the Lostislandic diaspora in the United States, and one in Belarus.
President Yaroslav Mar sent the National Security Advisor his wishes of a quick recovery. Updates on his health will be posted as they become available.