Brazil’s Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga has tested positive for COVID-19 after
attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Brazilian
President Jair Bolsonaro was the first world leader to speak.
The Brazilian government said on Tuesday that Queiroga, who had received a
COVID-19 vaccine was the second member of Bolsonaro’s entourage to test positive
for the virus since arriving in New York for the 76th session of the annual UN
gathering.
Queiroga was with Bolsonaro, who last year survived a bout of the virus, at several
events, including a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday.
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“The other members of the delegation have been tested and are negative,” an official
Brazilian government press release read. It added that Queiroga was “doing well”.
Bolsonaro, who is unvaccinated but has maintained he still has antibodies from an
earlier coronavirus infection, had chafed at calls for UN officials to require proof of
vaccination to attend the event in person.
The UN later announced it would use an “honor system” for vaccinations, and would
not bar those who are unvaccinated from entering.
Local New York officials, meanwhile, have voiced concerns over the UNGA becoming
a super spreader event as the Delta variant continues to spread in the United States.
New York City requires proof of vaccination at some indoor locations – including
restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues.
