Usain Bolt HAS tested positive for Covid-19, Jamaica’s health ministry confirms

Usain Bolt has confirmed that he has coronavirus and is self-isolating in Jamaica, days after partying mask-free with friends and sports stars at his 34th birthday.

Jamaica’s health ministry confirmed late Monday that Bolt, known as the greatest sprinter of all time, had tested positive for the virus.

The confirmation came after he posted a video to Twitter in which he revealed he is self-isolating at home, and is not currently displaying any symptoms.

It also comes after Bolt was filmed partying with guests including Manchester City star Raheem Sterling at his birthday in Jamaica on Friday last week, with guests not socially distancing or wearing masks.

Videos showed attendees singing, dancing, and standing close together under a large awning during the celebrations.  

Usain Bolt has tested positive for coronavirus, Jamaica’s health ministry has confirmed, after he revealed he is self-isolating at home and isn’t displaying any symptoms 

Usain Bolt celebrated his 34th birthday with an outdoor party where guests were singing and dancing outdoors

Usain Bolt celebrated his 34th birthday with an outdoor party where guests were singing and dancing outdoors

Bolt said he took the test on Saturday, a day after he celebrated his 34th birthday with an outdoor party where guests were singing and dancing without wearing masks 

Bolt, known as the greatest sprinter of all time (pictured competing in 2017), is the most high-profile athlete to have caught the virus after Novak Djokovic tested positive in June

Bolt, known as the greatest sprinter of all time (pictured competing in 2017), is the most high-profile athlete to have caught the virus after Novak Djokovic tested positive in June

The 34-year-old tweeted 'best birthday ever' after his party, on Friday last week

The 34-year-old tweeted ‘best birthday ever’ after his party, on Friday last week 

Speaking before his diagnosis was confirmed, Bolt said: ‘Good morning everybody, just waking up. 

‘Like everybody, I’ve checked social media, social media’s saying I’m confirmed [as having coronavirus]. I did a test on Saturday because I have work [abroad].

‘I’m trying to be responsible so I’m going to stay in for me and my friends. Also, I have no symptoms. 

‘I’m going to quarantine myself and wait to see what the protocol is. Until then, I’m quarantined by myself and just taking it easy. Be safe out there.’ 

Bolt was honoured with a surprise birthday party on August 21 which was attended by a host of big names. 

Manchester City star Sterling, Bayer Leverkusen attacker Leon Bailey and cricket legend Chris Gayle are believed to have been in attendance. 

Sterling’s season finished on August 15 when City were knocked out of the Champions League, and the team have been granted a delayed start to the 2020/21 season because of their European involvement. 

Footage from the party showed Bolt laughing and dancing with his guests and even taking the microphone while speakers blared out an Adele song at the outdoor bash. 

The guests also danced to the song Lockdown which was produced by Jamaican reggae singer Koffee in reference to the pandemic.   

Guests including Manchester City star Raheem Sterling were believed to have been celebrating Bolt's birthday

Guests revelling at Bolt's birthday party

Guests including Manchester City star Raheem Sterling were believed to have been celebrating Bolt’s birthday

Footage showed a crowd of people at the party, just days before the Olympic sprinting legend reportedly tested positive for coronavirus

Guests enjoying the party in Jamaica

Footage showed a crowd of people at the party, just days before the Olympic sprinting legend reportedly tested positive for coronavirus

The sprinter hailed the 'best birthday ever' in an Instagram post after turning 34 which featured a sweet picture of Bolt and his baby daughter Olympia

The sprinter hailed the ‘best birthday ever’ in an Instagram post after turning 34 which featured a sweet picture of Bolt and his baby daughter Olympia

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Bolt hailed it as the ‘best birthday ever’ in an Instagram post featuring a sweet picture of Bolt and his baby daughter Olympia.  

Bolt is one of the most prominent sportsmen in the world to contract the coronavirus, after tennis star Novak Djokovic tested positive in June and American major sports leagues were disrupted by bouts of the disease. 

Jamaica has recorded a total of 1,413 cases of coronavirus and 16 deaths from the disease, with infections soaring in recent days. 

After recording just 174 cases throughout the whole of July, the country has seen 267 infections in just the last four days.

The Caribbean nation avoided going into the kind of widespread lockdown seen in Europe at the height of the pandemic, but did shut borders to foreign arrivals in May.

Borders were reopened in June, but travellers have to show a negative coronavirus test result in order to board the plane.

Travellers are then tested again upon arrival, and quarantined for 14 days if it comes back positive.

Overnight curfews are in place from 11pm until 5am, face masks are mandatory in public places, while gatherings of more than 20 people are advised against.  

The sprinting legend reportedly attended his birthday party in Jamaica last week

A host of celebrities and sporting stars were believed to have been in attendance at the event

The sprinting legend reportedly attended his birthday party in Jamaica last week

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling was reportedly in attendance at the party

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling was reportedly in attendance at the party

On Saturday, prime minister Andrew Holness warned of a recent surge in cases and urged Jamaicans to ‘exercise greater vigilance’ to prevent the spread. 

‘There is a need for consciousness… for conscious personal responsibility on the part of every citizen,’ he said.  

Speaking a day after Bolt’s birthday, the PM said people should avoid gathering in groups of more than 20.  

The Caribbean island’s chief medical officer Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie said ‘parties and night club activities’ were linked to the recent spike. 

‘What we are seeing is that many persons do not perceive a threat to themselves. They believe that it happens to somebody else,’ she warned. 

The management for Bolt have been contacted for comment.