Pope Francis has reportedly tested negative for the coronavirus after a clergyman who lives in the pope’s residence contracted the virus.
Italian newspapers reported on Thursday that Francis had another coronavirus test performed on him after already testing negative earlier this month. The second test came after “one of the pope’s closest collaborators” became ill with COVID-19.
Recommended Stories
Francis, 83, has been largely secluded since he came down with a cold last month, which came just as Italy began to see an uptick in coronavirus cases, according to La Stampa. His first coronavirus test was taken after he became sick.
“He spends much of his time in his apartment, and when he moves inside the residence, he keeps the necessary safe distances,” the newspaper reported. “The anti-contagion cordon has been tight around the pope for weeks.”
Italy has been one of the hardest-hit countries in the world with more than 80,000 cases and at least 8,200 deaths, according to the latest reading by the Johns Hopkins University tracker. The country has imposed a strict nationwide lockdown, which has expanded to even include activities such as jogging or going to the park.
Worldwide, there have been more than 526,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus, about 122,000 recoveries, and at least 23,700 deaths.
