Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro Tests Positive For COVID-19 As Cases Continue To Spike In Country

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday (7 July) tested positive to have contracted the COVID-19 viral disease, reports The Indian Express.

President Bolsonaro himself broke the news to the world, making a statement while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters in Brazil's capital city of Brasilia. He said, "I’m well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can’t due to medical recommendation."

President Bolsonaro had taken the test on Monday after the development of COVID-19 symptoms like fever.

It should be noted that Even as Brazil has emerged as one of the worst-hit nations in the wake of the pandemic, President Bolsonaro has often downplayed the damages of the virus outbreak.

Currently, his country ranks second in the world with more than 16 lakh people having been confirmed to have contracted the disease, and over 65,000 people have succumbed to it. The United States (US) continues to top the chart.

Meanwhile, in the past, President Bolsonaro has tested negative for COVID-19 thrice, after several of his aides had tested positive for it after a visit to the United States (US) in March.