Venezuela President's visit spikes up Covid-19 cases in Azerbaijan

For the 2nd day in a row, the number of coronavirus infections detected in Azerbaijan has increased. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and members of his delegation arrived in Baku on June 16. The following day, the visitor had a videoconference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. According to official reports, members of Venezuela's delegation tested positive for Covid-19.

Covid-19 cases in Azerbaijan have decreased in recent weeks, and the number of fresh cases  detected daily has not exceeded ten people, with no Covid deaths reported.

However, the number of Covid-19 cases in the country have increased for two days back to back in a row. On June 17, there were 34 new cases reported; today, there are approximately 26 new cases and one death that have been reported.

On June 17, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met Maduro in a video conference. According to official sources, the meeting format was changed due to the diagnosis of coronavirus among Venezuelan delegates.

So far, no official information has been released about which Venezuelan delegation members were infected with COVID-19 or where the people affected are being quarantined and medicated. There has been no word on whether Venezuela's president's health status.

While the Azerbaijan authorities have lifted all bans imposed due to Covid-19 outbreak, except for the mandatory requirement for complete vaccinations before entering enclosed spaces, the country still continues a special quarantine regime. This regime restricts travel that involves crossing the land borders of neighbouring states, and will further continue until June 30, 2022.