Brazilian minister who attended UNGA session tests positive for coronavirus in New York

Brazilian Health Minister -- who participated with President Jair Bolsonaro's delegation to United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session -- has tested positive for coronavirus in New York, a media report said.

New York (US):Brazil's health minister tested positive for the coronavirus in New York after President Jair Bolsonaro spoke at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

Brazil's government said in a statement that Marcelo Queiroga was in good health and would remain in isolation in the United States. Earlier on Tuesday, Bolsonaro spoke at the General Assembly, flouting the requirement for all attendees to be vaccinated against the virus.

Also on Tuesday, Queiroga shook hands with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as part of a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Other members of Brazil’s government in New York tested negative for the virus, the statement said.

Ill last year with COVID-19, the disease that can be caused by the coronavirus, Bolsonaro has said several times over the last week that he remains unvaccinated. He said getting a shot is a personal, medical decision. Queiroga got his first shot of coronavirus vaccine in January.

Read:India's stakes in 76th UN General Assembly session

He was photographed side by side with Bolsonaro on several occasions this week. Tuesday morning he tweeted a picture with first lady Michele Bolsonaro. Queiroga had breakfast Monday with several employees of investment funds in New York.

AP