■ French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for COVID-19.
French president, other European officials self-quarantining
PARIS — Wearing a white medical mask, French President Emmanuel Macron went ahead with a planned speech by videoconference Thursday, hours after testing positive for COVID-19 following a week in which he met with several European leaders.
The French and Spanish prime ministers and the EU Council president were among many top officials self-isolating because they had recent contact with him.
Macron took a test “as soon as the first symptoms appeared” on Thursday morning and will self-isolate for seven days, in line with national health authorities’ recommendations, the presidency said in a statement.
It did not detail what symptoms Macron experienced or what treatment he might be receiving.
The 42-year-old president “will continue to work and take care of his activities at a distance,” the statement added. His wife, Brigitte, 67, tested negative on Thursday. She has no symptoms and will self-isolate as a precaution, her office said.
On Thursday afternoon, Macron took part, as planned, in a roundtable on French aid to the world’s poorest countries — but via videoconference instead of attending in person.
Wearing a high-protection, medical-grade mask — instead of the fabric versions emblazoned with the French flags he often wears — he showed no apparent sign of being affected by the disease, speaking in a clear, loud voice. He did not mention the virus in his speech.
French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said contact tracing efforts were in progress. He said that Macron started to feel symptoms overnight and that he will keep working from the Elysee presidential palace.
“The virus has been circulating in France and worldwide for several months, and the presidency and government are used to working in these circumstances,” Attal said.
Macron joined a growing list of leaders who have tested positive for the virus, including President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Trump called Macron on Thursday evening to get some news and wish him a speedy recovery, the Elysee palace said, adding that dozens of other world leaders expressed their support via messages and phone calls.