Moscow (AFP)
Russian mega-star MMA (mixed martial arts) Khabib Nurmagomedov called on residents of Daguestan, his home region where the coronavirus epidemic is out of control, to abide by confinement rules while his father is hospitalized in intensive care.
"Today, more than ever, we must be united. Show our courage, our character, our discipline," he said in a video published on the night of Monday to Tuesday on his Instagram account, adding that " the situation is very difficult in Dagestan ".
"The hospitals are crowded, many people are sick, many are dead," said the fighter, who has 20 million followers on Instagram, who calls for "listening to the doctors" and ensures that "only confinement can solve the problem".
Khabib Nurmagomedov's father and trainer has been in intensive care in Moscow since last week, "according to his son.
The gravity of the situation in Dagestan has come to light since the end of last week. Authorities in the small Russian republic admitted on Monday a "disaster" and admitted to being faced with hundreds of deaths likely caused by the coronavirus. Officially, the region has only 3,460 cases, of which 29 are fatal.
"I personally have more than 20 people, parents, relatives (...) who have been in intensive care. Many of them are no longer with us," said the combatant, who is an idol in Dagestan.
"A few months ago, when it was just beginning, nobody believed in Dagestan (coronavirus). When they said + Stay home +, people thought it was good for someone. I don't know at who can benefit. Everyone gets sick, "he adds.
Khabib Nurmagomedov called to celebrate the end of Ramadan this weekend from home, which Vladimir Putin also asked on Monday for a video conference with the local authorities on the situation in this republic. The Russian president has promised to send additional aid to Dagestan.
© 2020 AFP