Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for coronavirus a second time. This comes just days after he was advised to go into self quarantine since the first test.
About eight days ago, he took a test, his fourth, on after developing symptoms, including a high temperature and was found positive those sending him into quarantine.
Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly played down risks of what he has called the “little flu”, saying he would not be seriously affected. He has opposed lockdowns, which he says hurt the economy.
Brazil has the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in the world, after the US.
However, President Jair Bolsonaro’s self-isolation with the coronavirus does not appear to be affording him any sympathy from protesters calling for his resignation.
Demonstrators, who are upset over Bolsonaro’s response to the outbreak, placed crosses representing COVID-19 victims outside the Brazilian Congress in the capital, Brasilia, on Tuesday.
Protesters, including members of trade unions, Indigenous people and LGBT activists, delivered a petition to Congress calling for his impeachment.
Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for downplaying the impact of the pandemic. Indigenous leader Kretan Kaingang said demonstrators also wanted to honor warriors who died during the pandemic.
Brazil has confirmed more than 74,000 deaths, the second-highest in the world behind the United States.
So far, nearly two million people have been infected with the coronavirus in Brazil.