Brazil's president tests positive for COVID-19

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro (pictured) confirmed on Tuesday that he is infected with coronavirus but in good health.

The infection quickly turned into another major political event with the potential to further erode his image.

Bolsonaro, who downplayed the risk of COVID-19 and has criticized social distancing measures imposed by state governors, told CNN Brasil: “I had had tiredness and fever and I'm being treated with chloroquine. I'm fine right now and I will continue working remotely, via video conference.”

As cases keep rising, standing at 1.6mn and 65,487 fatalities by July 6, the president’s approval rating keeps falling, although he retains solid support among his base.

Political actors like centrist party PSDB also expressed sympathy, tweeting “we wish President Bolsonaro a good recovery, following the guidance of doctors.”

Alessandro Molon, socialist party leader in the lower house, however, said via Twitter that “even with coronavirus, Bolsonaro continues with his bad example. Speaks close to reporters; advertises medicine without proven efficacy; recommends chloroquine and azithromycin, which are highly toxic; tells a lie saying that it is only serious for the sick and the elderly.”

In March, Bolsonaro’s institutional security minister Augusto Heleno and Fabio Wajngarten, head of government communications, were infected and in recovery.

Since the virus outbreak, Bolsonaro constantly participated in public events without wearing a face mask, leading to criticism from medical authorities and others.