President Andrés Manuel López Obrador – who has largely ignored coronavirus protocols – has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment with mild symptoms, according to his social media accounts.
“I regret to inform you that I am infected with COVID-19,” AMLO posted on Facebook and Twitter. “The symptoms are mild but I am already under medical treatment. As always, I am optimistic. We will all make it through.”
López Obrador, whose morning news conferences will be led by Dr. Olga Sánchez Cordero, still plans to continue his duties from the National Palace.
“For example, tomorrow I will take a call with (Russian) President Vladimir Putin because … there is a possibility that they will send us Sputnik V vaccine.”
The 67-year-old has rarely been seen wearing a mask and has continued to keep up a busy travel schedule. Two weeks ago, López Obrador was seen in close contact with a government official who was later found to be infected.
Early in the pandemic, López Obrador displayed two amulets when asked how he was protecting Mexico.
Mexico has registered nearly 150,000 coronavirus deaths and more than 1.7 million infections, according to Johns Hopkins University, which has been following a predicted post-holiday surge in contagions.
In Yucatán, officials on Sunday announced 99 new infections and nine fatalities. Hospitalizations rose by 11, totaling 214, while the number of patients quarantined at home jumped by 17 to reach 761.
Last week, the state’s official seven-day tally indicated 804 new infections, 159 more than the week before. The most dramatic surge occurred in late June when weekly new infections jumped from 518 to 1,012.
