Miss World PH assures Tracy Perez is COVID-19 negative after pageant postponement
Tracy Maureen Perez (Image: Instagram/@msworldphil)
Miss World Philippines Tracy Maureen Perez has tested negative for the coronavirus amid health concerns that forced the postponement of the pageant’s 70th edition.
The Miss World Philippines’ national director, Arnold Vegafria, informed the public about Perez’s COVID-19 test results in a statement on the organization’s Instagram page today, Dec. 17. The Miss World organizers decided that the coronation night will no longer be held in Puerto Rico today after some candidates and staff tested positive for the coronavirus..
“We would like to reassure local pageant fans that our official candidate, Miss Tracy Maureen Perez has tested negative [for the coronavirus] and is taking all precautionary measures to ensure her safety and well-being,” Vegafria stated. “Amid the unexpected turn of events, she continues to uphold her promise to do her best to bring home the crown.”
Vegafria then urged the public to pray for the Miss World contestants, as well as the pageant organizers. He, on behalf of the Miss World Philippines Organization, also expressed support for the postponement of the international pageant amid an “alarming” COVID-19 outbreak in Puerto Rico.
View this post on Instagram
Organizers of the Miss World pageant said that additional health measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of those involved in the competition. They have rescheduled the event because additional COVID-19 cases had been confirmed.
Miss World did not confirm how many among those infected are contestants, though 17 COVID-19 cases were found among candidates and personnel, according to Puerto Rican media yesterday, Dec. 16. Those affected will need clearance from health officials and advisors before they can return to their home countries.
Perez, who hails from Cebu, is considered to be a frontrunner by global pageant observers. She recently secured a spot in Miss World’s top 30 and made it to the top five of the pageant’s Beauty with a Purpose challenge.
She is hoping to win the second Miss World crown for the Philippines, following Miss World 2013 Megan Young. /ra
RELATED STORIES:
Miss World PH 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez picked as frontrunner by global pageant observers
17 Miss World candidates, personnel test positive for coronavirus—report
