LISBON – Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who is seeking a second term in elections on January 24, has tested positive for the coronavirus but has shown no symptoms so far, his office said Monday.
The 72-year-old had scheduled one major presidential debate on Tuesday, as well as a meeting with health experts to discuss the details of a planned lockdown to be announced Wednesday, but his office said he had already canceled all of his public appearances.
In a statement on its official website, Rebelo de Sousa’s office said that the President has already informed Prime Minister Antonio Costa and Health Minister Marta Temido about the situation.
Rebelo de Sousa will isolate himself in his official residence in Lisbon, the statement said.
His positive test result comes after he tested negative on January 6 after being in contact with someone who was infected and so resumed his work schedule.