Coronavirus: At least three people who joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago test positive for virus
Real number could be higher after two more from Brazilian delegation contract illness
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least three people who spent time with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last weekend have now tested positive for coronavirus.
The cluster of confirmed cases, which all revolve around the US president’s private residence in Florida, have emerged in the past 48 hours.
The first of the three cases was revealed on Thursday, when a senior official from a Brazilian delegation which spent last Saturday at Mar-a-Lago with Mr Trump tested positive for the virus.
The official, Fabio Wajngarten, was photographed at the residence posing alongside Mr Trump and vice-president Mike Pence.
On Friday, a senior Trump campaign official revealed an unnamed donor who visited Mar-a-Lago on Sunday had also contracted Covid-19. The official said the donor did not interact with the president during the fundraiser.
Then overnight Brazil’s US embassy announced its charge d’affairs, Nestor Forster Jr, had tested positive. He was also in attendance at the dinner with Mr Trump.
Jair Bolsonaro, the Brazilian president, will now be retested for the illness following a negative test on Friday, Brazilian media reported.
The results for others in the Brazilian delegation, including Mr Bolsonaro’s wife Michelle and foreign minister Ernesto Araujo, have not yet been published.
However, Mr Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Karina Kufa, who was part of the delegation, tested positive, according to the O Globo newspaper. Senator Nelsinho Trad, who also formed part of the group, said late Friday that his test had also come back positive.
It is not clear if Ms Kufa or Mr Trad visited Mar-a-Lago during the trip.
Mr Trump told reporters on Saturday he has been tested but that results had not yet come back.
“There was somebody that they say has it. I have no idea who he is, but I take pictures and it lasts for literally seconds,” Mr Trump said on Friday.
“I did sit with the president (Bolsonaro) for probably two hours, but he’s tested negative, so that’s good.”
Shortly after announcing a national emergency, Mr Trump took the unusual step of shaking the hands of several American business chiefs as he invited them to talk about how their corporations are pitching in to combat the crisis that has sent markets spiralling and workers into self-isolation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments