This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On July 7, 2020, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus, his fourth test after developing symptoms including a high temperature.
Mr. Bolsonaro has repeatedly played down the risks posed by the virus, calling it 'a little flu' and saying that he would not be seriously affected by it.
He has also urged regional governors to ease lockdowns, which he says hurt the economy, and on Monday he watered down regulations on wearing face masks.
Despite the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Brazil, President Bolsonaro has argued that regional lockdowns are having a more damaging effect than the virus itself, and accused the media of spreading panic and paranoia.
