The deadly COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate. Rich or poor, urban or rural, male or female, powerful or weak — it spares none.
Political leaders have faced the brunt too, with a number of them being infected around the world.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus before he announced on July 7 that he himself had tested positive. Brazil is the world’s second worst-hit nation, after the US.
Here’s a list of some other prominent political leaders from across the globe who have contracted the virus:
Iraj Harirchi
Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi on February 25 tested positive for the coronavirus. He confirmed it in a press conference as he appeared in physical discomfort while interacting with reporters. Twenty-four other Iranian Members of Parliament, including country’s Ministerial Vice-President Masoumeh Ebtekar have also tested positive. She, President Hassan Rouhani’s deputy for women’s affairs and the highest-ranking woman in the government, tested positive for coronavirus on February 27. She quarantined at home.
Franck Riester
French Minister of Culture Franck Diester tested positive for COVID-19 on March 9 and went into home quarantine. Prior to his test results, he attended several debates at the National Assembly from where many more positive cases were reported.
Peter Dutton
Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was hospitalized after he tested positive for the virus on March 13. Before that, the minister held meetings with senior Trump administration officials about data encryption policy, and measures to combat child exploitation.
Michel Barnier
European Union’s Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier on March 19 took to Twitter to reveal that he tested positive for coronavirus. He opted for self-isolation at home.
Prince Charles
Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, tested positive for COVID-19 on March 25. “He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual,” said Clarence House. Prince Charles’ second wife Duchess of Cornwall, however, tested negative.
Boris Johnson
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in self-isolation initially after testing positive on March 27 and continued to lead the government. However, he had to be hospitalized a few days later after developing serious symptoms. He was In ICU for three days before ultimately being discharged following a one-week stay.
Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock also tested positive the same day as the PM, but recovered within two weeks.
Yaakov Litzman
Israel’s Health Minister Yaakov Litzman was found to be corona positive on April 2. His wife also contracted the virus and both were in self-isolation at home. Several top officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were in frequent contact with him and went into self-isolation after Litzman tested positive.
Mikhail Mishustin
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin tested positive on April 30 and informed that he will be under self-isolation at home. However, during a video call, Putin hoped that Mishustin will continue taking part in drafting policies to shore up the Russian economy, which had been impacted by the pandemic.
Carmen Calvo
Spanish Prime Minister Carmen Calvo tested positive on March 25. After her first test was inconclusive, she got tested again. She underwent treatment and recovered.
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