Mexican president felt unwell before industrial flight, took COVID-19 test afterwards: spokesman

MEXICO Town (Reuters) – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to start with felt the onset of COVID-19 on Sunday and was examined immediately after returning to the capital on a industrial flight from an function in central Mexico, his spokesman mentioned on Tuesday.

The 67-year previous president reported on Sunday evening he was contaminated with the coronavirus, just several hours following using the Aeromexico flight, elevating worry about the extent of opportunity exposures.

Spokesman Jesus Ramirez stated that passengers on the flight were remaining contacted, and that journalists traveling with the president had been advisable to isolate.

Lopez Obrador experienced a fever on Sunday and was nonetheless experiencing some gentle signs by Tuesday, including a insignificant headache, Deputy Wellness Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell explained in an evening information conference.

“The president is carrying out well… he does not have other signs and symptoms,” Lopez-Gatell said, adding that Lopez Obrador was in superior spirits.

The pandemic is worsening in Mexico. Hospitals in the money are shut to saturation, and inhabitants are scrambling to obtain supplies of health-related oxygen. With much more than 152,000 deaths formally registered, it has the fourth-best toll globally and fatalities are anticipated to overtake India within just times.

Men and women who satisfied with Lopez Obrador’s entourage in the course of a three day tour at the weekend incorporated corporate bosses and his former chief-of-staff, Alfonso Romo.

Lopez Obrador experienced felt chills at the close of the celebration in the central city of San Luis Potosi, but considered it was no extra than a cold, Ramirez advised Reuters. The indications ended up more robust once he was back in Mexico Metropolis, Ramirez mentioned.

Ramirez told a nationwide radio station before in the 7 days that Lopez Obrador felt congested on Saturday when in the industrial town of Monterrey, and took a test there. Having said that, he informed Reuters on Tuesday that facts was incorrect.

Mexico has a tiered technique that avoids necessary lockdowns. Authorities in Mexico Metropolis, which is in the strictest crimson tier, say people today should really not journey or go away residence except if needed, but does not prohibit such functions.

Mexican overall health officials explained they had determined 11 people by Tuesday who may possibly have appear into near get in touch with with the president and that area officers from the parts frequented by Lopez Obrador at the weekend were also doing the job to establish other contacts.

Quite a few leading officials, which includes Deputy Overall health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell, the general public confront of Mexico’s coronavirus system, claimed they ended up self-isolating and had examined adverse. Other folks, together with International Minister Marcelo Ebrard, also announced they experienced examined negative for the virus but are anticipated to consider new exams this 7 days.

Lopez Obrador was nevertheless performing, Inside Minister Olga Sanchez stated on Tuesday.

“I can convey to you he’s robust and is even intervening in some of the most critical choices,” she stated though subbing for Lopez Obrador at a normal government information meeting.

His commonly lively Twitter account was silent, sharing only a website link to the early morning news convention by the afternoon.

Lopez Obrador has been holding digital conferences, including a Monday connect with with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In the occasion that Lopez Obrador, who has a heritage of high blood stress and coronary heart challenges, are not able to have out his responsibilities although in business office, the Mexican constitution states that Sanchez would assume the presidency in his absence.

Congress would then vote on an interim successor within just sixty days who would continue being in office until finally the end of Lopez Obrador’s time period in 2024.