France’s Macron contracts coronavirus, showing symptoms

“In accordance with current health regulations applicable to all, the President of the Republic will isolate himself for 7 days,” his office said. “He continues to work and carry out his activities remotely.”

While it is unclear how Macron contracted the virus, he attended several high-level meetings over the past few days, including some with other world leaders, CNN reported. Earlier this week, he dined with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Council President Charles Michel, and Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Both Sanchez and Michel said they are now in quarantine out of an abundance of caution.

Macron also dined with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa Monday and later attended a Cabinet meeting. Late last week, he visited the European Council in Belgium, where several European Union leaders were present.

Other prominent world leaders have also grappled with COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was the first prominent leader to test positive for COVID-19. He was hospitalized and spent three days in the intensive care unit before being discharged. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro contracted the virus in July and lauded the use of the controversial anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine during his recovery. President Trump first tested positive in October and was briefly hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he received treatment.

“Sorry to hear my friend @EmmanuelMacron has tested positive for coronavirus. We are all wishing you a speedy recovery,” said Johnson over Twitter Thursday.