Rio de Janeiro governor tests positive for COVID-19

The governor of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, Wilson Witzel, on Tuesday announced he tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

"I want to let you all know that I haven't been feeling well since Friday and I asked that I be tested for COVID-19, and today the test result came in positive. I had a fever, a sore throat and lost my sense of smell, but I feel fine," Witzel said in a video posted online.

The governor said he will continue to work from his official residence, following "medical recommendations" and "restrictions."

Witzel also called on the public to continue to abide by the lockdown measures.

"I am asking you once again to stay home because the disease, as you can all see, doesn't choose between people, and infection is swift," he said.

Witzel, 52, has been governor of Rio state since Jan. 1, 2019. Along with Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, he has been a fierce proponent of social distancing as a way to contain the outbreak.

Brazil has 25,262 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,532 deaths.

Rio de Janeiro currently ranks second in number of infections among Brazilian states, after Sao Paulo.