Athletics: Usain Bolt tests positive for coronavirus
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Usain Bolt said he took the test a day after he celebrated his birthday at a bash mask-free.
PHOTO: AFP
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KINGSTON (REUTERS) - World record holder and eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating at his home in Jamaica after last week celebrating his 34th birthday with a big bash mask-free.
Jamaica's Health Ministry confirmed late on Monday (Aug 24) that Bolt, who holds world records in the 100m and 200m, had tested positive after he posted a video on social media around midday saying he was waiting to receive his results.
"Just to be safe, I quarantined myself and (am) just taking it easy," Bolt said in the message that he appeared to have taped himself while lying in bed. It was posted with the caption "Stay safe my ppl".
The only sprinter to win the 100m and 200m golds at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016) said he did not have any symptoms of Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus.
Bolt said he took the test last Saturday, the day after he celebrated his birthday at a bash where partygoers danced to the hit Lockdown by Jamaican reggae singer Koffee.
"Best birthday ever," Bolt, who retired from athletics in 2017, wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of himself holding his daughter, Olympia, who was born in May.
Fans wished Bolt a speedy recovery on social media - "drink up your ginger tea," one wrote - although some accused him of carelessness.
Daily confirmed cases in Jamaica have surged to more than 60 a day over the past four days from fewer than 10 just a few weeks ago. Jamaica now has 1,612 confirmed cases, with 622 active cases and 16 deaths from the coronavirus.
Officials put the uptick in cases down to the reopening of international borders and celebrations over a long weekend in August marking Independence Day and Emancipation Day.
They also put the blame at the feet of people who refuse to wear masks and practise social distancing.
The increase has raised concerns over national elections that Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness called for in September, six months ahead of schedule.
The Prime Minister on Sunday suspended all his campaigning activities, including motorcades, home visits and rallies, and asked other parties to do the same.
The authorities have also delayed the reopening of schools for one month and citizens are under a national curfew from 7pm to 5am.
