World-famous celebrities test positive for COVID-19

Celebrities around the world have also become victims of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 with the pandemic in its full swing.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday (local time) that U.S. singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, famous for his hit song “The Road Out & Stay,” contracted COVID-19. Just the day before, he donated one million U.S. dollars to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. On Friday, he released a new song “A Little Soon To Say” that delivers a hopeful message in the battle against the coronavirus.

Television host Andy Cohen tested positive for COVID-19 on March 20. “After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for Coronavirus,” the host of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” wrote in a post on Instagram.

Mark Blum, an actor in "Law & Order” and other popular soap operas, died due to COVID-19 complications at a hospital in New York on Wednesday. Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally, famous for “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “Frankie and Johnny,” passed away for the same reason on Tuesday. The four-time winner of the Tony Awards, as prestigious as the Academy Awards in the theatrical world, has been reported by CNN as the first U.S. celebrity who fell victim to the novel coronavirus. Added to that, it has been reported that global sports athletes and managers came down with the virus as well such as NBA star Kevin Durant, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Meanwhile, there are a growing number of celebrities who help raise public awareness amid the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. singer and actress Selena Gomez took part in “#Safe Hands Challenge” to show handwashing to her 171 million Instagram followers. Justin Bieber, Blake Lively and Lady Gaga have made donations to charities fighting against the coronavirus.


Ji-Sun Choi aurinko@donga.com