Ukraine COVID numbers ease off records; Tymoshenko tests positive

Fewer cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Ukraine over
the long Independence Day holiday, falling from a peak of 2328 on Aug. 21 to
1658 on Aug. 24, the Health Ministry reports. The figure from Aug. 24 includes
95 children.

Former PM and head of the Fatherland Party Yulia
Tymoshenko has been diagnosed with COVID-19, and the party’s spokesperson
called the case serious, media outlet voanews.com reports. There is no
indication yet as to whether she has been hospitalized.

James Hydzik: Whether the recent spike in new cases is an isolated occurrence or
not, the resumption of business and school activity in September will put the
already straining medical system to the test. That someone as publicly recognizable
as Tymoshenko has contracted the disease may register particularly in the heads
of some older Ukrainians, no matter their political inclinations, and help them
keep masks on a little more often, but awareness raised is unlikely to make a
dent in behavioral patterns.