Puerto Rico Health Authority Confirms 17 People At Miss World 2021 Contest Test Positive For COVID-19

Illustration of the Miss World event. (Wikimedia Commons/Rosengurtt)

JAKARTA - Puerto Rico's health authorities have confirmed 17 people involved with the ongoing Miss World 2021 pageant, have tested positive for COVID-19.

While it was not immediately clear how many of those participants were infected, the Miss World Organization said there were about seven candidates "isolated" with possible coronavirus infection, according to the Puerto Rican daily Primera Hora.

The finals of the global beauty pageant will be held this Thursday at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, where Miss World Toni-Ann Singh of Jamaica is scheduled to crown her successor. The annual competition, which is hosting the 70th event this year, was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, making Singh the longest-serving Miss World in history.

"In the case of Miss World, there were 17 who tested positive. Yesterday there was talk of seven, but the number is going up", Puerto Rico Health Department spokeswoman, Lisdian Acevedo, told Primera Hora, citing The National News on December 16.

Acevedo added that the number of cases including candidates as well as technical personnel and all those infected had been vaccinated. While none of those who tested positively required hospitalization, they had to follow a mandatory 10-day isolation period, Acevedo explained.

Meanwhile, Miss World Chair, Julia Morley, told Primera Hora that candidates who tested positive would not be allowed to go on stage in the finals 'if they don't produce a negative molecular PCR test'. However, they will still be competing for the crown.

"Knowing the seriousness of the global situation we all face, we are taking steps to capture the unique talents of each contestant so that, if they cannot join us, they can still win the crown as Miss World 2021. A panel of judges will review the pre-recorded video content. It's up to you to make their final decision", said Morley.

"The Miss World organization follows national guidelines. We are an experienced and responsible global organization that is very excited to celebrate our 70th anniversary in Puerto Rico. We remain dedicated to the health and safety of our participants and the people of Puerto Rico", she explained.

Last month at the Miss Universe pageant, Miss France Clemence Bottino was forced to quarantine for 10 days after she tested positive upon arrival in Israel. Bottino, who made it to the final in Eilat on December 12, addressed the issue on stage.

"We are living (through) an international crisis. We have to overcome it, now the situation makes me stronger", she told the audience.

To note, contestants from 98 countries participated in this year's Miss World pageant, including Khadija Omar, Somalia's first hijabi candidate. Representatives from Iraq, Tunisia, and Turkey also took part in the race.