French President Emmanuel Macron tests positive for Covid-19

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19.

The presidential Elysee Palace announced the news on Thursday morning, saying Mr Macron, 42, took a test "as soon as the first symptoms appeared." 

The brief statement did not say what symptoms he was experiencing , but confirmed that France’s head of state will self-isolate for seven days. 

"He will continue to work and take care of his activities at a distance," the palace added.

It is not yet known how or where the president was infected.

Brigitte Macron is 15 years her husband’s senior
Getty Images

His office is currently in the process of identifying anyone who has come into close contact with him.

It is not yet clear whether Mr Macron’s wife Brigitte, 67, has also contracted the virus.

The president attended a European Union summit at the end of last week, and he met with the prime minister of Portugal on Wednesday. 

There has been no immediate comment from Portuguese officials.

France’s prime minister Jean Castex, 55, is also self-isolating as he is considered a possible "contact case", the BBC reported.

Mr Castex was due to introduce the French government's coronavirus vaccination policy on Thursday, with health minister Olivier Véran set to replace him.

Mr Macron is one of several world leaders who has caught the virus this year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson fell ill with the disease and ended up in intensive care during the UK’s first wave in March.

Seven months later, Donald Trump spent three days in hospital after testing positive.

Earlier this week, France eased national lockdown restrictions as cases continue to surge across the country.

However, an 8pm to 6am curfew was imposed, forcing restaurants, cafes, theatres and cinemas to close.

France recorded more than 17,700 new cases in 24 hours on Wednesday.

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