Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the ceremony of presenting credentials at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised volunteers for helping people infected with COVID-19, primarily the elderly, who are the main victims of the disease.
“Working with elderly people is extremely important,” Putin told volunteers during a visit to an information center monitoring the coronavirus, according to video footage provided by the Kremlin.
“Some of them have access to the services of people nearby, relatives or acquaintances, but others do not have such an opportunity. Here, of course, qualified assistance from volunteers is absolutely necessary and highly in demand,” he said.
Putin was told that qualified volunteer doctors and medical students are involved in purchasing and delivering medicines and other essential products.
He said that although the situation with COVID-19 in Russia was not as bad as elsewhere, doctors and volunteers had to work proactively to avoid grave consequences.
The president also pointed out the necessity of ensuring the safety of volunteers and providing them with appropriate protective gear.
According to the latest official data, as of Tuesday, 114 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Russia, including five recovered.
