The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt isolated himself after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19 a few days after a party for his 34th birthday, attended by England footballer Raheem Sterling and several other sports stars.
Jamaica’s health ministry revealed late on Monday that Bolt, the world 100m and 200m record holder, had tested positive for the virus. He had previously shared a video on social media saying he was waiting to hear back on his results – before saying anyone who had come into contact with him recently to quarantine themselves.
Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton reportedly confirmed Bolt had been notified of the positive test and contact tracing was under progress.
“I’m just waking up, and like everybody else I checked social media which is saying I am confirmed to have Covid-19,” said Bolt, who had a surprise birthday party thrown in his honour on Friday. “I did a test on Saturday to leave because I work. I am trying to be responsible so I am going to stay in and stay here for my friends.”
“I’m having no symptoms so I am going to quarantine myself and wait on the confirmation, to see what is the protocol and how I should go about quarantining myself,” Bolt added. “Until then, I am saying anyone who has had contact with me should quarantine by themselves just to be safe, and just to take it easy.”
A Manchester City spokesman has established that Sterling, who attended Bolt’s party along with Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey and cricketer Chris Gayle, was still in Jamaica and the club happens to be in regular contact with him.
The City spokesman also said that as a Premier League and England player, Sterling would be tested for Covid-19 before returning to a biosecure bubble in time for the start of the new football season.
Stay Safe my ppl ?? pic.twitter.com/ebwJFF5Ka9
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) August 24, 2020
Jamaica has had a confirmed total of 1,413 Covid-19 cases and 16 deaths on the island of around three million people. But there are fears that cases could be on the rise, especially in the capital Kingston, with 410 new cases in the last 14 days.