Bolsonaro greets supporters after third virus test

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro greeted his supporters on Wednesday afternoon after confirming he is still positive for the new coronavirus for the third time this month.

Bolsonaro spoke to his supporters outside of his residence in Brasilia, but earlier, the government informed in a statement the result of the test.

Bolsonaro's first positive test was announced on July 7.

The 65-year-old president will continue to be isolated in his official residence, the Alvorada Palace, and holding videoconferences instead of meetings in person.

When the outbreak hit the country Bolsonaro called the disease a "little flu" and had spent many of his weekends mingling in crowds, sometimes without wearing a mask.

He is being treated with the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, although it has not been proven effective against the virus.

Brazil, Latin America's largest nation, is one of the outbreak's epicenters.

The Brazilian Federal Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday more than 2,227,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 82,700 deaths.