Chile leftist presidential candidate Boric tests positive for COVID-19

FILE PHOTO: Chilean presidential candidate Gabriel Boric from left-wing 'Apruebo Dignidad' (I Approve Dignity) greets a child while meeting with supporters during the start of the allowed period for televised electoral propaganda in Santiago, Chile October 22, 2021. Chileans will go to the polls in the first round of presidential elections on November 21, 2021. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/File Photo

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chilean presidential candidate Gabriel Boric, champion for the left and one of the top runners in pre-election polls, said on Wednesday he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would self-isolate, less than three weeks before the Andean country votes.

In a post on Twitter, center-left former student leader Boric, 35, said he had just received the positive test and called on his contacts to follow pandemic protocols.