Covid-19: Mexican President López Obrador tests positive for virus

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced he has tested positive for Covid-19.

The 67-year-old who, has been criticized for his handling of the pandemic, said on Twitter that his symptoms were mild and that he was "optimistic" following the diagnosis.

It comes as Mexico struggles with the upsurge in infections, with deaths nearing 150,000 and hospitals overwhelmed by the case numbers.

“I regret to inform you that I am infected with COVID-19,” he tweeted. “The symptoms are mild but I am already under medical treatment. As always, I am optimistic. We will all move forward.”

Mr Obrador says he will still continue working from his home and will speak to President Vladimir Putin about acquiring a Russian-made vaccine.

It was reported earlier on Sunday that a call between the two leaders will take place on Monday to discuss their bilateral relationship and the possible supply of Sputnik V jabs.

The president said in August he would speak to Putin if the Russian vaccine proved effective, and his government said this month it aims to acquire 12 million doses of Sputnik V, with the first potentially arriving as soon as the coming week, according to Reuters.

Mexico has not yet approved the jab for use, but officials want to expand the country's vaccination program for the population of 128 million people amid delivery delays from Pfizer-BioNTech.

Mr Obrador has in the past been rarely seen wearing a mask and despite increasing infection numbers he continued to keep up a busy travel schedule taking commercial flights, according to the Associated Press.

He has also resisted locking down the economy, citing the devastating effect it would have on so many Mexicans who live day to day.