Jair Bolsonaro Tested Negative For COVID-19; But Cancels Official Meetings

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro recently announced that his lungs are “clean,” putting speculations about the right-wing populist having contracted the virus to rest.

His latest statement came after a visit to the doctor on Monday after several local media outlets suggested that Bolsonaro could’ve been tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Bolsonaro has begun to exhibit one of the major symptoms of respiratory illness -- fever. However, Bolsonaro’s official engagements that were scheduled for Tuesday, have been put on a halt.

Bolsonaro had touched a raw nerve on multiple occasions in the past, after dropping inflammatory comments about the unprecedented surge in the infections and COVID-19-related deaths in Brazil.“I can’t get very close,” said Bolsonaro to a volley of reporters who gathered around him, soon after his return from the hospital. The video footage and comments were recorded by Foco do Brasil, a pro-government YouTube channel. “I came from the hospital. I underwent a lung scan. The lung’s clean,” he added.

A statement was released from the president’s office, which confirmed that Bolsonaro was “in good health” and is resting at home. Bolsonaro has had a packed schedule despite the pandemic. For instance, Bolsonaro fulfilled his official obligations and had attended several events over the weekend. The president was allegedly in close contact with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil amid the July 4 celebrations.

A recent Twitter post by The U.S. embassy in Brasilia shed light on a recently held luncheon on July 4 that saw Todd Chapman, the ambassador, Bolsonaro, five ministers, and Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, who is a federal congressman in full attendance.

While Chapman has displayed no symptoms, he is likely to undergo a test as a precautionary measure.Not too long ago, Bolsonaro paid a visit to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, Florida, an estate in March, which saw several of Trump’s aides turn up as well. While a volley of officials who attended the meeting was diagnosed with the illness, Bolsonaro’s results came as negative.

Brazil continues to be in a tough spot, with the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases -- 1.6 million confirmed cases and 65,000 related deaths. Bolsonaro, who is a habitual defaulter of the lockdown norms, was recently ordered by a Judge in June, to wear masks every time he stepped out and mingled with the masses, failing which, he would be ordered to pay a hefty fine.