VATICAN CITY (ROME) – Four members of the Vatican Swiss Guards, the corps who protect the pope, have tested positive for COVID-19, the Vatican said on Monday.
This came after three other residents or citizens of the tiny Vatican city-state tested positive in recent weeks, according to a statement.
It is believed that they are the first in the corps to test positive. The Vatican said all of those who had tested positive had mild symptoms. They are under isolation and tracing of contacts who have had exposure was underway.
Though the Vatican last week implemented precautionary measures asking everyone to wear masks, even outdoors, and practice social distancing, it was noted that Pope Francis does not wear a mask at his general audiences.
Some of his closest aides also have not been wearing masks at the audiences.
Italy on Friday topped 5,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day for the first time since March.