17 Miss World candidates, personnel test positive for coronavirus—report

Image: Facebook/Miss World

Seventeen people involved in the upcoming Miss World pageant are reportedly positive for the coronavirus.

The health department in Puerto Rico, where the pageant will be held, confirmed that 17 candidates and personnel of Miss World had tested positive for the virus, as per Puerto Rican newspaper Primera Hora via The National News today, Dec. 16.

“In the case of Miss World there are 17 positives… yesterday there was talk of seven, but that number went up,” the agency’s spokesperson, Lisdián Acevedo, was quoted as saying.

Acevedo assured that health protocols are being observed in all cases detected and those who were infected by the coronavirus are vaccinated. None of the participants required hospitalization, while some experienced mild symptoms.

Miss World participants who tested positive for the coronavirus are now under a 10-day isolation, in line with recommendations from the Puerto Rican government.

Meanwhile, the Miss World Organization’s president, Julia Morley, announced that those affected may not be allowed on the pageant stage if they fail to present a negative COVID-19 test, but they may still be in the running to become Miss World.

“Knowing the seriousness of this global situation that we all face, we took steps to capture the unique talent of each contestant so that, in case they couldn’t [join us], they could still win the crown as Miss World 2021,” she stated in the report. “The panel of judges will review your pre-recorded video content to make their final decision.”

The coronation night will be held tomorrow, Dec. 17, at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Philippines’ representative in the pageant, Tracy Maureen Perez, recently made it to the top 5 of Miss World Beauty with a Purpose challenge. She also secured a spot in Miss World’s top 30 after winning its head to head challenge.

Perez is hoping to be the second Filipino beauty queen to take home the Miss World crown, following Miss World 2013 Megan Young. Dana Cruz /ra

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