Brazil’s Bolsonaro tests negative for coronavirus, attributes recovery to hydroxychloroquine

Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for Covid-19 on July 7, and had three positive tests before tweeting that he had recovered, thanks to a malaria drug

This comes as Brazil’s coronavirus cases reached 2.2 million, the second highest in the world after the US

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gives the thumbs up to supporters from the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia. He said on Saturday he has recovered from Covid-19. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:22pm, 25 Jul 2020Updated: 11:22pm, 25 Jul 2020

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced on Saturday he has tested negative for the new coronavirus more than two weeks after being diagnosed on July 7, attributing his recovery to an unproven malaria drug.

“RT-PCR for Sars-Cov 2: negative. Good morning everyone,” the 65-year-old tweeted, along with a photo of himself smiling and holding a packet of hydroxychloroquine. Its effectiveness against Covid-19 has not been demonstrated in clinical trials.

He did not say when he took the latest test.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro gestures as he prepares to ride a motorcycle in Brasilia. Photo: Reuters

The president, who has routinely downplayed the virus he calls a “little flu” but which is currently ravaging his country, spent nearly 20 days self-isolating at his official residence in the capital Brasilia, the Alvorada Palace.

During that time he underwent at least three more virus tests, all positive.

Three polls released this week showed the leader dubbed a “Tropical Trump” would win re-election in 2020, despite his controversial handling of the virus crisis.

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