Top EU official tests positive for COVID-19

By Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) – European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said on Tuesday he tested positive for coronavirus.

“I have just learned that my regular scheduled COVID-19 test before the College came back positive. I am now self-isolating as required. Stay safe,” he tweeted.

Earlier this month, Mariya Gabriel, the European commissioner for innovation and research, also contracted the novel virus.

Other top officials who self-isolated after coming in contact with those who tested positive include foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, EU Commission President Ursula von der, and European Council President Charles Michel.

Several countries across Europe, including France, Spain and Italy, are seeing a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.

Infection numbers are higher partly because of increases in testing capacity.