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April 03, 2021 – 06:56 pm
By:
AFP Agency
The president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, was infected with covid-19 almost two months after receiving the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine that makes the disease pass mild, his medical team confirmed this Saturday after a PCR test that yielded a positive result.
“The diagnosis of covid-19 infection is confirmed by receiving a positive PCR (molecular analysis), making it clear that the clinical picture is mild due in large part to the protective effect of the vaccine received,” said the Presidential Medical Unit in an official statement.
Fernández, who turned 62 on Friday, had been administered on January 21 the first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine, from the Russian laboratory Gamaleya, and on February 11, the second.
“I have no idea how I got infected. I am someone who takes great care. If it weren’t for the vaccine, I would be having a very bad time,” said the president this Saturday on radio 750, after communicating the positive result of antigen test at midnight on Friday.
The head of state “is stable, asymptomatic, with parameters within normal ranges,” said his doctor, Federico Saavedra.
Fernández is isolated in a guest room of the presidential residence of Olivos, in the north of Buenos Aires.
His wife and first lady, Fabiola Yáñez, 39, reported on social media that her antigen test came back negative.
“What was expected for any citizen has happened. After an infection it is possible to become infected again and after a vaccination as well. We must be extremely careful, even if we are tired,” Alicia Cámara, a coronavirus specialist at the University, told AFP. National of Córdoba.
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“Speedy recovery”
The Gamaleya laboratory regretted what happened. “We are saddened to learn of this (the Fernández contagion). Sputnik V is 91.6% effective against infection and 100% effective against severe cases. If the infection is confirmed, vaccination ensures a quick recovery without serious symptoms. we wish a speedy recovery, “he wrote on Twitter.
The Argentine president was one of the first people over 60 to apply Sputnik V in Argentina, as soon as it was approved by the drug authority.
At that time, the ruler had himself photographed while being inoculated as a way to convey confidence and encourage the population to voluntarily vaccinate.
Politicians and officials who were in contact with Fernández in the last 48 hours had to isolate themselves, such as the head of the bloc of pro-government deputies, Máximo Kirchner, son of the vice president and ex-president Cristina Kirchner, who was not reported to have met with the chief of State in the last hours.
Fernández had reported on Friday that he was “physically well” and “in good spirits” after presenting a fever of 37.3 degrees and a mild headache.
“With a dose of Sputnik V, only 20% will develop any symptoms after infection, mildly and without hospitalization,” Mario Lozano, a virologist with the state Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina, told reporters.
In Argentina, of 45.4 million inhabitants, 4.1 million people have been vaccinated as of Saturday. The country is suffering from the second wave of coronavirus. It registers more than 2.3 million infections and exceeds 56,000 deaths.
“The pandemic continues. We are in a race to achieve immunizations,” said Alicia Cámara, who recommends “putting all the energy into vaccinating with a single dose, to enlarge the protective umbrella” over the population.
Argentina has received 6.7 million doses of covid-19 vaccines, of which 3.9 million are from Sputnik V.
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