Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt finds out he tested positive for COVID-19 from social media posts

Sprinter, world record holder and eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt was known for his « Lighting Bolt » pose. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)AP

On Monday, the eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt twitted that he was awaiting the results of a coronavirus test and was quarantining himself as a precaution, according to CBS News.

Bolt said he has no symptoms. « Just to be safe, I’ll quarantine myself and just take it easy, » he said.

Then early Tuesday, the 34-year-old, retired sprinter said he awoke to social media posts indicating that he was COVID-19 positive.

Many were incredulous that his positive result was shared on social media before he was formally notified, such as “Wait, you saw on social media that you were positive BEFORE you heard from your Dr? Um, that is a breach of your privacy. Stay safe.”

And there was this reply, “Usain needs to sue them to let his results go public before he was notified of it….”

But some reacted by scolding him — “Sue??? How about NOT having a maskless party during a global pandemic! And you have a newborn too????? OMG!!!”

Later on Tuesday, Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Health, said Bolt had tested positive for COVID-19. Tufton said, ‘It triggers an approach to questioning, interrogation if you will, which we follow through with contact tracing. »

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said police are investigating the case. « They’re looking into all aspects of the matter. So no one is going to be treated with any exemption or given any special treatment. All Jamaicans have a duty, » he said.

According to The Gleaner, more than 1,000 people have been charged since the pandemic began with violating anti-virus measures implemented under the national Disaster Risk Management Act. 

Jamaican newspapers said friends had thrown Bolt a surprise birthday party on Saturday attended by sports and music stars, including Manchester City soccer star Raheem Sterling and Jamaican singer Christopher Martin, who also self-quarantined after the party.

The Gleaner quoted Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness as telling reporters that police were investigating the circumstances around the birthday party after social media videos showed Bolt and others failing to practice social distancing and not wearing masks.

Johns Hopkins University data showed that as of Tuesday, Jamaica has confirmed 1,612 COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths, relatively low numbers in a country of nearly 3 million.

On the track, Bolt was known for his “Lighting Bolt” pose and, of course, his post-race celebrations. Eight-time Olympic champion Bolt set the world records in the 100 and 200 meters at the 2009 world championships in Berlin. He retired in 2017.

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SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com