Usain Bolt Tests Positive for COVID-19, Self-Isolating at Home in Jamaica

Eight-time gold medalist Usain Bolt has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating at his home, Jamaica’s health ministry confirmed late Monday night. 

Bolt, 34, attended a large birthday party last week for his 34th birthday where attendees were mask-free. Police in Jamaica are "investigating the circumstances surrounding a birthday party in Saint Andrew for Bolt last week," per the Jamaica Gleaner.

Before he knew the results of his COVID-19 test, Bolt took to social media on Monday to update his fans and said he has no symptoms. 

“I’m just waking up, and like everybody else I checked social media, [which] is saying I am confirmed to have COVID-19,” Bolt said in an Instagram post. “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. Until then, I am talking to all my friends and telling them anyone who has come into contact with me should, just to be safe, quarantine by themselves and just take it easy.”

Bolt said that he took the COVID-19 test on Saturday, the day after his birthday party. According to Reuters, daily confirmed coronavirus cases in Jamaica have jumped to over 60 per day since Friday compared to less than 10 a few weeks ago. 

Bolt is the world record holder in the 100m and 200m. He won his last gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games.