Pope Francis confirms coronavirus test after a ‘slight illness’

Pope Francis has confirmed his health status for the popular infection coronavirus also known as covid-19, he tested negative for disease after he had a “slight illness” which forced him to cancel all official activities amid fears in Italy over coronavirus outbreak.

Pope was reportedly given a ‘routine‘ test after falling ill on Ash Wednesday with symptoms of a cold including a cough, fever, chills and sore throat.

According to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, the 83-year-old pontiff was given a swab test as a precaution but the results tested negative,.

Onyxnewsng reports that the Pope’s health started after the pontiff prayed for coronavirus sufferers on Ash Wednesday, while mask free, and even took time to shake hands and kiss worshippers, including a child, in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

The pontiff canceled many of activities last week due to illness, and announced on Sunday during his weekly address that he is cancelling a planned spiritual retreat because of a cold.

The death toll from Italy’s coronavirus outbreak has risen to 52, as the number of confirmed cases in Europe’s worst affected country increased to 2,000.