Queen praises curling team in first official statement after COVID news

Queen Elizabeth II has made her first official statement after testing positive for COVID-19 — congratulating Great Britain’s curling teams for their medal-winning performances at the Beijing Olympics.

“I send my warmest congratulations to the Team GB women’s curling team on your outstanding performance in winning the gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, following the silver medal achieved by the men’s curling team yesterday,” the 95-year-old monarch said.

“I know that your local communities and people throughout the United Kingdom will join me in sending our good wishes to you, your coaches and the friends and family who have supported you in your great success,” she added on the royal family’s Twitter account.

Buckingham Palace announced Sunday that the Queen was experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms” and would continue with “light duties.”

“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines,” the statement read.

The Queen was inoculated against the virus in early 2021, and has since received a booster dose.  

News of her infection comes after her eldest son, Prince Charles, earlier this monthDuchess of Cornwall, contracted the illness four days later. 

“The mood at Windsor Castle is one of caution and no major cause for alarm,” said BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph, who added that there is a sense it will be “business-as-usual as much as is possible for the Queen.”

The queen has no public engagements planned this week, but it is likely that any scheduled video meetings have been postponed, the BBC reported.