Miss France Clémence Botino, a Miss Universe contestant, has tested positive for COVID-19, The Jerusalem Post confirmed. The contestant was taken to a government isolation hotel on Monday morning.
The Miss Universe Organization confirmed that a contestant was infected. The organization did not release her name but said she was fully vaccinated and had been tested for the virus before departing for Israel. The positive result was detected on arrival.
All those who came in contact with the contestant are being alerted and advised to isolate as well, the organization said. Most of the competition’s 80 contestants are already in the country.
It is unclear if Botino is infected with the new Omicron variant, although there would be no reason to assume so. Nonetheless, the organization said it was conducting further tests.
“The Miss Universe competition is under a number of strict COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, developed in accordance with Israeli officials and through best-in-class industry standards,” it added. “We continue to cooperate with the Israeli authorities and will share more information as it is appropriate.”
Israeli authorities have said they will continue with the pageant, which is expected to be held in Eilat on December 12, despite rolling out a ban on foreign entry into the country this week after the discovery of the new and potentially more infectious variant.