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Elon Musk Tests Positive And Negative For Coronavirus, Awaiting Confirmation

Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that there was "something extremely bogus" going on with his initial coronavirus test results.
Odd Andersen
/
AFP via Getty Images
Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that there was "something extremely bogus" going on with his initial coronavirus test results.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Twitter he has tested both positive and negative for COVID-19 after taking four rapid antigen tests.

Experts have long cautioned that such rapid tests are not as reliable as others at diagnosing the coronavirus. There are other tests, including one called PCR, widely seen as the "gold standard." Musk has gotten one of those, too.

On Twitter, Musk said there was "something extremely bogus" going on with his initial results. He took four tests after experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, and received two positive results and two negative results. He is now waiting for his results from the more accurate PCR tests.

The high-profile executive has downplayed the risks of the coronavirus pandemic, including making an infamous prediction that the U.S. would have close to zero cases by the end of this past April.

He alsorailed against lockdowns that affected the Tesla plant in Fremont, Calif., calling them "fascist" and "not democratic."

On Thursday, the U.S. reported more than 150,000 new cases of the virus as the pandemic makes a resurgence across the country.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Camila Flamiano Domonoske covers cars, energy and the future of mobility for NPR's Business Desk.