Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, who was tested positive for COVID-19, said on Facebook Live on Thursday that he was “very well” and again advocated the use of the controversial drug hydroxychloroquine.
He appeared in his weekly Facebook Live post at his official residence. He was seen to be in good shape and was not accompanied, by ministers or senior officials, nor the usual sign language interpreter.
Bolsonaro said that after feeling unwell at the end of last week, he had started taking one hydroxychloroquine tablet every day.
The drug, originally tested to fight malaria, has been pushed as a treatment for COVID-19 in many countries but its effectiveness has not been formally proven and the issue is deeply dividing the global scientific community.
Bolsonaro said in his video; “I’m saying this very clearly, I took hydroxychloroquine and it worked, and I’m fine, thank God. And let those who criticize it at least offer an alternative.”
The President, however, deny making “propaganda for hydroxychloroquine”.
Brazil is currently the second country hardest-hit country in the world by the pandemic, behind the United States.
The death toll on Thursday was 69,184, with an increase of 1,224 in the previous 24 hours.
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