The Brazilian presidency has slammed initial reports Friday — originating in one of the country’s biggest newspapers citing “government sources” — saying President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for Covid-19. Soon after the Brazilian presidency’s Facebook page officially said the test came back “negative,” despite Fox News and The Guardian among others reporting that he had the virus. Bolsonaro’s son also blasted the media reports as “too much lies”.
No doubt the White House breathed a sigh of relief, given Bolsonaro had just dined with President Trump Saturday night at Mar-a-Lago, but still a close call given a top aide among the Brazilian delegation did test positive Thursday. But guess who did come into contact with both Bolsonaro and the confirmed Covid-19 infected aide?
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez confirmed Friday that he has tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Suarez, 42, said in a statement that he was not feeling any symptoms and advised anyone who shook hands with him or was close to him since Monday to self-isolate for 14 days.
“It is confirmed that I have the coronavirus,” Suarez told the Miami Herald earlier in the day Friday. “I did test positive for it.”
He’s been in isolation since Thursday after it was initially learned that Bolsonaro aide Fabio Wajngarten tested positive for it.
Worrisomely it remains that Suarez, along with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and President Trump, all hosted Boslonaro and his staff in south Florida this week, including at a major public event at the Forum Of The Americas at the InterContinental Miami, where Bolsonaro was awarded with the keys to the city.
My message to our residents in light of the news that I have tested positive for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/gW9IziifQm
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) March 13, 2020
This could have further implications in terms of potential spread in Miami, as NBC Channel 6 reports:
NBC 6 has also learned that Miami commissioners, their staff, and city hall staff have been advised to self-isolate if they came in contact with Suarez. City hall was also decontaminated Thursday night, a source said.
A number of top city officials are now self-isolating after contact with both the Miami mayor and the Brazilian delegation.