The mayor of Miami is the latest individual to test positive for the coronavirus after meeting with a Brazilian delegation led by President Jair Bolsonaro.
Mayor Francis Suarez tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday after announcing he would self-quarantine on Thursday. In a statement to the Miami Herald, Suarez said, “It is confirmed that I have the coronavirus. I did test positive for it.”
He noted that he felt healthy, but added, “I’m concerned for people who have had some measure of contact with me.”
Suarez attended a meeting with the Brazilian officials and several U.S. politicians at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, including Florida Sen. Rick Scott, Vice President Mike Pence, and President Trump.
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Scott announced he would self-quarantine after it was revealed Bolsonaro’s press secretary, Fabio Wajngarten, tested positive for the illness. The White House said Thursday that neither Trump nor Pence would be testing for the coronavirus because they did not believe they had extended contact with Wajngarten, despite the three having a photograph together from the meeting.
“The White House is aware of public reports that a member of the Brazilian delegation‘s visit to Mar-a-Lago last weekend tested positive for COVID-19; confirmatory testing is pending. Exposures from the case are being assessed, which will dictate next steps,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Thursday. “Both the president and vice president had almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time.”
Suarez also said he did not believe he had extended contact with Wajngarten. In a video announcing his self-quarantine on Thursday, he said, “Although I do not believe I had personal contact with the infected person and I’m not displaying any symptoms, after speaking with healthcare professionals, I have decided to follow Department of Health protocol and self-quarantine.”
In a statement to his colleagues after he tested positive for COVID-19, Suarez said, “If we did not shake hands or you did not come into contact with me if I coughed or sneezed, there is no action you need to take whatsoever. If we did, however, touch or shake hands, or if I sneezed or coughed near you since Monday, it is recommended that you self-isolate for 14 days, but you do not need to get tested.”
Reports on Friday said Bolsonaro had initially tested positive for the coronavirus, but he later tweeted that he tested negative and condemned the “fake news” media.
