Member of Bolsonaro’s UN delegation tests positive for Covid-19

A member of the Brazilian delegation at the UN General Assembly has tested positive for Covid-19. 

The young diplomat was part of President Jair Bolsonaro’s advance party and was present at “several” meetings with national and foreign diplomats, sources tell The Brazilian Report. He was put under strict quarantine in a New York City hotel and awaits a second test to confirm his infection.

The staffer arrived in New York City last week to help prepare the president’s trip ahead of his UN General Assembly speech tomorrow. 

Foreign Minister Carlos França shared the news with cabinet members accompanying Mr. Bolsonaro, raising immediate concerns about a spread among unvaccinated members of the Brazilian delegation. Indeed, President Bolsonaro himself claims not to have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. 

Government officials say the diplomat had taken a first shot of Covid-19 vaccine, but his own colleagues dispute that. The Brazilian Report learned that the presidential aide arrived as part of a delegation of more than 20 people, including the president’s military bodyguards. 

The Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry is carrying out the aide’s contact tracing at meetings in New York and will share the details with U.S. authorities.

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