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Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Celebrities hit by the coronavirus so far

Celebrities across many countries have been badly hit by the coronavirus. One thing the coronavirus pandemic has proved repeatedly is that it makes no difference who you are and what you do - no one is immune.

Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has joined the growing list of world celebrities who have been hit by the novel coronavirus.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg also said Tuesday it was “extremely likely” that she had contracted it.

Here is a roundup:

Arts

Veteran Afro-jazz star Manu Dibango, 86, on Tuesday became one of the first global stars to die as a result of COVID-19.

Terrence McNally, a revered American playwright, also died Tuesday aged 81, following coronavirus complications.

Congolese music legend Aurlus Mabele, known as the “King of Soukous”, a high-tempo modern variant of Congolese rumba, died in Paris last week, aged 67.

Spanish opera star Placido Domingo said Sunday he had tested positive, adding he was “in good health”.

Fallen Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, in prison in New York state after being sentenced to 23 years for rape and sexual assault, has also tested positive, US media reported on Sunday.

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his wife, actress and singer Rita Wilson, said on Monday they were doing better after nearly two weeks quarantine in Australia.

British actor Idris Elba said on March 16 that he had tested positive for the virus and gone into self-isolation.

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Chilean author Luis Sepulveda, who lives in northern Spain, also has the virus and is in hospital. He felt the first symptoms on February 25.

Politics

Prince Charles, eldest son and heir to Queen Elizabeth II, has tested positive and is showing mild symptoms but “otherwise remains in good health”, his office said Wednesday.

Swedish climate activist Thunberg said Tuesday it was “extremely likely” she had contracted the virus after experiencing symptoms following a trip to central Europe.

Prince Albert II of Monaco has tested positive, although there are “no concerns for his health” the palace said on March 19.

Michel Barnier, who leads EU negotiations with Britain on Brexit, announced on March 19 that he had tested positive.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been in isolation since March 13 after his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau tested positive.

The first test result for German Chancellor Angela Merkel came back negative on Monday. Merkel began self-isolating on Sunday after being treated by a doctor who later tested positive for the virus.

On Tuesday Finland said Nobel laureate and former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, aged 82, has contracted the virus.

Sport

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died on Saturday aged 76, three days after being hospitalized with the coronavirus.

In Italy several players at Juventus are infected, including France’s 2018 World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi and Argentinian attacker Paulo Dybala.

Former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini and his footballer son Daniel announced they were positive Saturday.

Read more: Britain’s Prince Charles tested positive for coronavirus

In England, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive. Turkish football icon Fatih Terim, manager of Istanbul giants Galatasaray, is also positive.

At least 14 players from the NBA have tested positive, including Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant and France’s Rudy Gobert of Utah Jazz.

AFP with additional input by GVS News Desk