Major scare for President Putin as Russian physician he shook hands with a week ago tests positive for Coronavirus (Photos)

There is now a major scare over President Vladimir Putin’s health after a Russia’s top Coronavirus doctor was diagnosed with COVID-19, just one week after meeting and shaking hands with the Russian leader. 

Denis Protsenko, 44, who is the head of Konnunarka infectious disease hospital, was visited by Putin last week, and the pair were pictured too close and even shook hands twice without protective gear.

A meeting was reportedly held in Protsenko’s office with other top officials including Russian deputy premier Tatiana Golikova, 54, who is in charge of Russia’s coronavirus policy in attendance.

On Tuesday, Chief doctor of Kommunarka hospital Denis Protsenko revealed via his Facebook page that he has positive for coronavirus.

He wrote: ‘Dear friends, I am very moved by your concern. Yes indeed I have been tested positive for CoV, but I am feeling myself quite all right. I have isolated myself in my office where there is everything for remote work, management and telemedicine consultations. I think that the immunity developed during this month must be doing its job…. Stay tuned.’

The Russian government has been forced to reassure citizens today by saying that President Putin was regularly tested for coronavirus and ‘everything is okay’.