Usain Bolt tests positive for COVID-19 only days after birthday celebration

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

Jamaican police have now launched a probe into Usain Bolt‘s 34th birthday party after the record-breaking athlete tested positive for coronavirus following the event. 

Monday, the Olympic gold medalist sprinter announced on Instagram that he was self-quarantining until he received his test results and official confirmation of his diagnosis.

READ MORE: LeBron James says he can’t celebrate playoff win after Jacob Blake shooting

“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 a video at the time. “I am trying to be responsible, so I am going to stay in and stay here for my friends.”

Bolt has now tested positive for COVID-19. Jamaica’s Minister of Health Christopher Tufton confirmed the diagnosis to reporters on Monday, CBS News reported.

“It is now public knowledge that Mr. Bolt has tested positive. He has been formally notified, I’m told by the authorities,” Tufton told reporters. “It triggers an approach to questioning, interrogation if you will, which we follow through with contact tracing.”

READ MORE: Tamika Mallory responds to criticism over BreonnaCon

Friday, the retired athlete was filmed singing and dancing at a lavish outdoor 34th birthday event with a large number of guests. None of them appeared to be following pandemic mandates to wear a mask or social distance.

The island of Jamaica has banned gatherings of more than 20 people and Prime Minister Andrew Holness says as a result of that guideline potentially being violated police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Bolt’s birthday bash in St. Andrew last week.

READ MORE: Vanessa Bryant writes heartwarming birthday message to late husband, Kobe Bryant

“These matters are all being thoroughly investigated and the police will give a report on these matters in near future,” Holness said, according to The Gleaner.

However, Jamaica’s mandates only apply to public places. It remains unclear exactly where Bolt’s party took place, and whether those rules would apply if it was in a private residence. 

Have you subscribed to theGrio’s podcast “Dear Culture”? Download our newest episodes now!