유럽 지도자 '비상'…프랑스 대통령 확진에 속속 자가격리

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms and will self-isolate for a week.
Numerous European leaders have gone into self-isolation after coming in contact with Macron.
Kim Hyo-sun has the details.
European leaders are on alert as French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, after showing symptoms.
His office explained that the president got tested as soon as the first symptoms appeared,... adding that his wife tested negative on Thursday.
His spokesperson asked the people of France to take particular precautions as the virus continues to spread.
"I want to insist on the fact that it reminds us that the virus circulates, in the world and in France, and that even when you are extremely careful, you can be contaminated. So we must all continue our efforts and respect the measures of protection and sanitary recommendations."
The French and Spanish prime ministers and EU Council president are among many top officials self-isolating because they recently came into contact with Macron.
The Spanish government says its prime minister will be in self-isolation until December 24th,... while the Portuguese Prime Minister has also placed himself in quarantine after contact with Macron.
Macron also attended an EU summit at the end of last week, and also sat down with German Chancellor Angela Merkel for a bilateral meeting.
The German government explained that Merkel tested negative, after she was tested a few days after the EU summit,... as is routine.
Macron's diagnosis comes as Europe's accumulated death toll from COVID-19 topped 500-thousand on Thursday.
It became the first region in the world to pass the bleak milestone.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.