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Vladimir Putin self-isolates after covid exposure but has not tested positive, Kremlin says

The Russian president met Monday at the Kremlin with Syria’s Bashar al-Assad

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during their meeting in Moscow on Sept. 13. (Mikhael Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will self-isolate after individuals close to him tested positive for the coronavirus.

The news came from the Kremlin in a transcript of a call between Putin and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, where Putin said he will attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, planned later this week in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, virtually instead of in person.

The Kremlin also said Putin is “absolutely healthy” and has so far not tested positive for the coronavirus. The Russian president was vaccinated against the coronavirus in March with his country’s own Sputnik V.

Putin met in person with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin on Monday. Assad said he and his wife recovered from covid-19 in March.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sept. 14 that he was self-isolating after coming in close contact with aides who tested positive for coronavirus. (Video: Reuters)

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Coronavirus: What you need to know

End of the public health emergency: The Biden administration ended the public health emergency for the coronavirus pandemic on May 11, just days after WHO said it would no longer classify the coronavirus pandemic as a public health emergency. Here’s what the end of the covid public health emergency means for you.

Tracking covid cases, deaths: Covid-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States last year with covid deaths dropping 47 percent between 2021 and 2022. See the latest covid numbers in the U.S. and across the world.

The latest on coronavirus boosters: The FDA cleared the way for people who are at least 65 or immune-compromised to receive a second updated booster shot for the coronavirus. Here’s who should get the second covid booster and when.

New covid variant: A new coronavirus subvariant, XBB. 1.16, has been designated as a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization. The latest omicron offshoot is particularly prevalent in India. Here’s what you need to know about Arcturus.

Would we shut down again? What will the United States do the next time a deadly virus comes knocking on the door?

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