MIAMI – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced on Tuesday that he was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease that is blamed for about 65,000 deaths in Brazil.
As President Donald Trump’s ally, Bolsonaro, 65, also touted his use of hydroxychloroquine, which the Food and Drug Administration has cautioned against. Trump’s vigorous promotion affected supply.
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Bolsonaro has repeatedly said an economic shutdown because of social distancing restrictions would have far worse consequences than the coronavirus pandemic. His opposition to public health officials’ push for life-saving restrictions has polarized the country.
Bolsonaro visited Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties to meet Trump in March. After his departure, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and a member of Bolsonaro’s staff were diagnosed with COVID-19. Bolsonaro tested negative then.