Usain Bolt tests positive for coronavirus

Martin BUREAU / AFP

World-record sprinter Usain Bolt has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating at his home in Jamaica.

Jamaica's health ministry confirmed late Monday that Bolt had tested positive after he posted a video on social media around midday saying he was waiting to hear back on his results.

"Just to be safe I quarantined myself and just taking it easy," Bolt said in the message that he appeared to have taped himself while lying in bed. It was posted with the caption "Stay safe my ppl".

The only sprinter to win the 100m and 200m golds at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016) said he did not have any symptoms of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

Bolt said he took the test on Saturday, the day after he celebrated his 34th birthday with a big bash mask-free.

"Best birthday ever," he had written on Instagram, posting a photo of himself holding his daughter, Olympia.

Daily confirmed cases in Jamaica have surged to more than 60 per day over the past four days from less than 10 just a few weeks ago. Jamaica now has 1,612 confirmed cases, with 622 active cases and 16 deaths from coronavirus.

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