Jair Bolsonaro told CNN Brasil on Tuesday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Bolsonaro, 65, told the outlet he began feeling poorly on Sunday. The Brazilian president said he is taking hydroxychloroquine and azitheromycin.
Bolsonaro’s response to the coronavirus has been highly criticized. His government has seen two health ministers depart since the beginning of the pandemic — which has hit Brazil with a vengeance in recent weeks — and he has at times downplayed the effects of the coronavirus.
July 4 event at US Ambassador’s residence
Bolsonaro’s positive result comes just days after he attended a July 4th commemoration event with the US Ambassador to Brazil, Todd Chapman.
According to a photo posted to the President’s official Facebook page, Bolsonaro was at the Ambassador’s residence with Chapman for the event.
Images from the gathering show Bolsonaro not wearing a mask or observing social distancing. In one picture, he stands next to several US and Brazilian officials, including Chapman, none of whom was wearing a face covering.
Chapman was stood directly next to Bolsonaro in the photo, with his arm around the president. Brazil’s foreign minister, Ernesto Araújo, was pictured the other side of Bolsonaro.
Chapman also shared an image of himself next to Bolsonaro on his official Twitter account, writing that he was “honored” to receive the Brazilian president on July 4th.
U.S. Ambassador Todd Chapman, who hosted Bolsonaro at the July 4 barbecue, said he will also be tested. Images shared on social media showed Bolsonaro and Chapman arm-in-arm at the event, without masks. Chapman said he has no symptoms.
