Syrian President Bashar Assad and his wife have tested positive for the coronavirus, the president�s office said Monday, with both having only mild symptoms of the illness.

In a statement, Assad�s office said the first couple did PCR tests after they felt minor symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 illness. It said that Assad, 55, and his 45-year-old wife Asma, who is a breast cancer survivor, will return to work after spending between two to three weeks in isolation in their home.

Both were in �good health and in stable condition,� it added.

Syria, which marks 10 years of war next week, has recorded nearly 16,000 virus cases in government-held parts of the country as well as 1,063 deaths, but the numbers are believed to be much higher with limited amounts of PCR tests being done.

Syria began a vaccination campaign last week, but no details have been given about the process. The health minister said the government procured the vaccines from a friendly country, which he declined to name.

The announcement comes days after international and Israeli media reports revealed that Israel paid Russia $1.2 million to provide the Syrian government with coronavirus vaccines, as part of a deal that secured the release of an Israeli woman held in Damascus. The terms of the clandestine trade-off negotiated by Moscow remained murky; Damascus denied it happened and Russia had no comment.

It was not immediately clear if Assad and his family members have been vaccinated.

(AP)