Bill Gates says he has COVID with mild symptoms

SEATTLE – Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said Tuesday he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing mild symptoms.

Via Twitter, the billionaire philanthropist said he will isolate himself until he recovers.

“I am fortunate to be vaccinated, updated, and have access to testing and excellent medical care,” Gates wrote.

The Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the world’s most influential private foundation, with endowment assets of approximately $65 billion.

Bill Gates has been a vocal advocate of measures to contain the pandemic, particularly giving poorer countries access to vaccines and medicines. The Gates Foundation announced in October that it will spend $120 million to improve access to generic versions of drugmaker Merck’s COVID-19 antiviral pill for lower-income countries.