Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who recently called the coronavirus pandemic a “fantasy,” has tested positive for the illness days after dining alongside President Trump, according to a local report.
“He waits for the result of the counter-proof this Friday (13) to confirm the contamination. There is tension in the air. Despite spending quiet time on TV, and asking the people to avoid the streets (a clear cancellation of the call for Sunday’s pro-government demonstrations), Bolsonaro does not hide the evidence,” according to a translation in the local news outlet Jornal Odia.
“He appeared in a mask this morning and did not leave the Palácio da Alvorada, the official residence.”
Bolsonaro returned to Brazil this week after meeting Saturday with President Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Miami.
The far-right leader had been being monitored for the deadly bug that has spread to at least 34 people in the Latin American country, Reuters reported, citing the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.
Bolsonaro previously tried to downplay the worldwide health threat Tuesday during a visit to Miami, Florida.
“During the past year, obviously, we have had moments of crisis. A lot of that is fantasy. And coronavirus, which is not [what] all the mainstream media makes it out to be,” he said.
The White House said earlier in the week that Trump was in “excellent health” after shaking hands with a congressman exposed to the virus.

Bolsonaro’s communications director, Fábio Wajngarten, who attended weekend events with Trump in Florida, also has tested positive for the coronavirus — marking the first time that someone known to have the virus was in close proximity to the president.
Trump does not plan to be tested or go into self-quarantine, the White House has said.

“Both the President and Vice President had almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time,” White House communications chief Stephanie Grisham has said.
Latest Stories
- Mohammed Kudus wins big at 47th SWAG Awards gala
1 hour - CHAN 2022: Black Galaxies suffer shock exit after Niger defeat
2 hours - Analysis: Ghana’s GDP growth for 2022 lags behind other African countries – AfDB
9 hours - We need to strengthen institutions and governance systems – Dr. Theo Acheampong
10 hours - Ghana’s balance of payments deficit worsens to $3.64 billion
10 hours - Mr. Samuel Nii Dodoo
10 hours - Catholic Diocese of Jasikan, GIISDEC to promote sustainable iron ore exploration in Oti
11 hours - Individual bondholders to be exempted from debt exchange programme – Martin Kpebu
12 hours - Police arrest 4 suspects for robbery, murder at Wassa Agona
13 hours - Fire destroys 3 houses, five vehicles at Kwadaso
14 hours - Performance of changed minority leaders outstanding, reshuffle came as a surprise – Political Analyst
14 hours - Abubakar Malik Atampuri: A detailed analysis of why Dr. Kuganab-Lem lost the Binduri seat to the NPP
14 hours - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Mohamed Salah is ‘suffering’ this season
15 hours - Auditor General’s Covid-19 report: ‘We need to see prosecution’ – Theo Acheampong
15 hours - Mrs Frances Ivy Anin nee Nana Akyere
16 hours