French President Emmanuel Macron Tests Positive For COVID-19

French President Emmanuel Macron has been placed in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.

Everyone who has come in contact with him is being traced as a precautionary measure.

French authorities confirmed the initial reports of Macron's illness Friday. They didn't elaborate on the gravity of his condition or if he was experiencing any symptoms.

The 42-year-old politician is one of Europe's youngest leaders and experts believe that he should be able to recover from the illness. Some experts said the effects of COVID-19 can be unpredictable.

"Late last night, the president began feeling COVID-19-like symptoms. He immediately isolated himself and took a P.C.R. test. The result was communicated to us this morning," government spokesperson, Gabriel Attal, told reporters.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez - who had lunch with Macron on Monday - is reportedly suspending his official activities until Dec. 24. Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa - who met with Macron on Tuesday - will also be self-isolating and will get tested for the virus.

Other politicians and their aides that had met with Macron over the past few days are also being told to isolate. It is not yet clear how Macron contracted the virus. French officials have declined to speculate.

Apart from Macron, other world leaders that have contracted the virus include U.S. President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

In an attempt to reassure people about his health, Macron appeared via video link at a planned conference on French development aid Friday. Macron wore a medical-grade mask and did not appear to show any signs of sickness. Macron also didn't mention his illness during his speech.

Macron's illness comes as France imposes new restrictions to mitigate the spread of the virus. The country recently imposed a strict 8 p.m. curfew across the nation, which took into effect on Tuesday. The curfew and country's second lockdown is expected to last at least another month.