Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for COVID-19, months after saying it won’t be anything more than a little flu should he contract the virus.
Bolsonaro, whose handling of COVID-19 in South America’s biggest country has been a subject of local and international concern earlier dismissed the virus, before stating that he felt unwell on Sunday.
“I’m well, normal,” Mr Bolsonaro told reporters while wearing a face mask.
He had also previously refused to wear a face mask, and had failed to announce a nationwide restrictions, courting criticisms in the process.
Bolsonaro’s positive status is coming months of downplaying the level of devastation and casualties caused by the disease.
He has also repeatedly said that there is no way to prevent 70% of the population falling ill with COVID-19, and that local authorities’ measures to shut down economic activity would ultimately cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course.
More than 65,000 people in Brazil have died with coronavirus so far and more than 1.5 million cases have been recorded – the world’s second-highest totals.
Source: Aledeh
