Former Italian PM Berlusconi hospitalized after testing positive for coronavirus

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Italy's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has the early stages of double pneumonia after being hospitalized for testing positive for coronavirus, the country's national news agency reported Friday.

Double pneumonia affects both lungs and can make breathing difficult.

The 83-year-old was taken to Milan's San Raffaele hospital Thursday night, two days after his political party announced he had contracted coronavirus.

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Double, or bilateral, pneumonia has been seen in many patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Berlusconi's political party Forza Italia said in a statement that his condition was "not a cause for concern."

Sky Italia television reported the octogenarian was not in intensive care.

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Alberto Zangrillo, who works at San Raffaele hospital, where Berlusconi was taken, told reporters that test results are reassuring and “make us optimistic” for his recovery over the next “hours and days.”

Italy's former Italian prime ministe was accused in 2012 of paying for sex with an underage woman at sex-fueled “bunga bunga” parties and wielding his power in an attempt to cover it up.

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He was found guilty, but the conviction was overturned on an appeal.

Berlusconi was ultimately convicted on tax fraud charges and sentenced to community service.