Brazil, 10th High-Ranking Official Including President Tests Positive for COVID-19

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It has been revealed that 10 high-ranking officials in the Brazilian government have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) so far.

According to local Brazilian media on the 10th (local time), Luis Eduardo Hamus, a political advisor to President Jair Bolsonaro, tested positive for COVID-19 and entered quarantine on the same day.

The presidential office confirmed Hamus's positive test result and stated that aside from mild cold symptoms, there are no major health issues, and he will continue to work while in quarantine for the time being.

Among minister-level officials, the nine who tested positive earlier have all received treatment and recovered.

In Brazil, cases of positive COVID-19 tests have been occurring continuously within the government, legislature, and judiciary.

President Bolsonaro tested positive for COVID-19 in July and entered quarantine at the presidential residence but returned to work after about 20 days following a negative result on his fourth test.

Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, House Speaker Rodrigo Maia, Prosecutor General Augusto Aras, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Luiz Fux all contracted COVID-19 and have since recovered.

Additionally, among the 27 governors who are leading COVID-19 response efforts on the ground, about 10 have tested positive and are either undergoing treatment or have recovered.

Meanwhile, as of the day before, Brazil's cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases totaled 5,055,888, with cumulative deaths reaching 149,639. Brazil ranks third in cumulative confirmed cases after the United States and India, and second in cumulative deaths after the United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.