Ireland: Sinn Fein leader tests positive for COVID-19

LONDON

Ireland’s Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has confirmed she tested positive for the coronavirus in March but she is no longer infectious on Tuesday.

McDonald said in a statement that she hoped to return to work next week.

The leader of Ireland’s nationalist party said she was informed by her public health doctor that she was no longer infected, or infectious, and she said this was a “great relief” after weeks of feeling unwell.

McDonald said she had experienced a setback in her recovery last weekend, after developing post-viral pleurisy in her right lung, according to public broadcaster RTE.

Sinn Fein came out of winners in Ireland election held in February as the vote resulted in a three-way tie with two main parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

McDonald's election victory came with years of failed policies to improve housing conditions and health services by the previous governments.

Sinn Fein, the political wing of the dissolved Irish Republican Army (IRA), have been campaigning for a unified Ireland.