French President Macron tests positive for coronavirus

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, his office confirmed in a statement on Thursday.

Macron’s official residence, the Élysée Palace, said the president was tested after he began showing symptoms.

Macron will isolate for seven days and plans to work remotely. All of his planned appearances and trips have been canceled, including a visit to Lebanon. 

Macron met with Portugal’s prime minister, António Costa, and held a joint press conference on Wednesday. The men were seen in close contact, although they were both wearing face masks. 

Costa tweeted Thursday that he is isolating following the news of Macron testing positive for COVID-19.

Em virtude da confirmação do teste positivo do Presidente francês @EmmanuelMacron, com quem estive ontem no Palácio do Eliseu, estou em isolamento profilático preventivo até avaliação do grau de risco por parte das autoridades de saúde. pic.twitter.com/V0D4mHsr8S

— António Costa (@antoniocostapm) December 17, 2020

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez met with Macron in Paris on Monday, and he is also isolating.

Mis mejores deseos para @EmmanuelMacron.

El lunes participé junto al presidente francés en la conmemoración del 60 aniversario de la @OECD. Hoy he conocido su positivo y, siguiendo los protocolos, suspendo toda mi actividad y estaré en cuarentena hasta el 24 de diciembre.

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) December 17, 2020

Brigitte Macron, the wife of the president, is also in isolation. She reportedly was not experiencing any coronavirus symptoms as of early Thursday morning.

Other French officials, including Prime Minister Jean Castex, are also quarantining following the announcement, The Associated Press reported.

Last week, Macron attended a European Council meeting in Brussels, which included the leaders of all 26 member states in the organization.

The European Commission said Thursday that its president, Ursula Von Der Leyen, is not isolating following the news of Macron testing positive for COVID-19, NBC News reported,