Austrian foreign minister tests positive for COVID-19

Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, his ministry said Saturday, October 17, as the country posted a new daily record for infections.

Schallenberg could have contracted coronavirus during a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, a foreign ministry spokeswoman told the APA news agency.

“He has not presented any symptoms so far,” he said.

The minister has canceled a trip planned for the coming days to Britain, Denmark, Greece, and Cyprus.

All members of the conservative government of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz will be tested as a precaution on Saturday.

Austria reported a new high of 2,300 cases on Saturday.

With a population of 8.8 million, Austria has also recorded 882 deaths since the start of the pandemic. (READ: Pandemic pushes Austria into record economic downturn)

Schallenberg is just the latest in a string of politicians to contract the disease, including US President Donald Trump, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. – Rappler.com