简体中文
Kazakhstan's 79-year-old former President and official "Leader of the Nation" Nursultan Nazarbayev has tested positive for the coronavirus, a statement on his official website said Thursday.
"Currently, the First President of Kazakhstan is in self-isolation. Unfortunately, the last test... for the coronavirus infection showed a positive result. There is no cause for concern," the statement said.
Nazarbayev continues to work remotely, according to the website.
Nazarbayev, who turns 80 next month, served as Kazakhstan's president for close to three decades.
He retains a number of powerful positions in the Central Asian country including the chairmanships of the national security council and the ruling party.
He is also constitutionally honored as the "Leader of the Nation" – a designation that provides him with unique policymaking privileges.
Other high-ranking Kazakh officials who said this month they tested positive for the coronavirus include Health Minister Yelzhan Birtanov and Nurlan Nigmatulin, who is the chairman of the lower house.
Berik Uali, President Tokayev's spokesman, also tested positive for the virus.
The spread of the virus has accelerated in the nation of 19 million since it ended a nationwide lockdown last month. Kazakhstan had reported about 23,000 cases as of Friday, with 100 deaths, up from about 5,000 at the end of its lockdown.
Kazakhstan said on Thursday it would tighten coronavirus-related restrictions during the coming weekend.
Shopping malls, markets and parks will be closed in big cities on June 20-21 and additional hospital beds will be made available for COVID-19 patients, the government said.
(With input from AFP, Reuters)
