Antonio Banderas, 60, tests positive for Covid-19 just days after attending girlfriend's birthday party
Actor Antonio Banderas tested positive for the novel coronavirus on his 60th birthday in Malaga. The actor announced his diagnosis on social media on Monday, August 10, and stated that he was currently experiencing symptoms of fatigue.
The 'Mask of Zorro' actor, a week and a half ago, had reportedly celebrated his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel's 39th birthday with friends and had shared pictures of the party, which included a large cake on social media. Banderas, in an Instagram post, on Monday, wrote: "I feel relatively well, just a little more tired than usual." He also reassured his fans that he is expected to make a full recovery.
"Hello everyone, I want to make public that today, August 10, I am forced to celebrate my 60th birthday following quarantine, having tested positive with Covid-19 disease," Banderas wrote. He also posted a photo of himself as a young child along with the post. "I would like to add that I feel relatively well, just a little more tired than usual and confident that I will recover as soon as possible following the medical indications that I hope will allow me to overcome the infectious process that I suffer and that is affecting so many people around the planet."
Banderas, in his statement, said that he was "confident that I will recover as soon as possible" from the "infectious process that I suffer and that is affecting so many people around the planet." The actor added that as he battles the virus, he would be spending his time in isolation and would focus on reading, writing, and resting. The 'Desperado' actor had also skipped a charity gala, which he was supposed to host on Sunday in Marbella, Spain.
Spain is currently the worst-hit nation in Europe at the moment, with many of the neighboring countries like the UK and Germany recommending citizens to not travel there. Meanwhile, Malaga in Spain continues to be worst hit by the novel coronavirus, the region had recorded over 800 new cases in a day last week. The country has over 314,000 confirmed Covid-19 infections, with the deaths soaring past 28,000. The Health Ministry of Spain, last week on Friday, August 7, had reported 4,507 new infections, nearly 500 more cases than the day before.
Banderas, in his social media statement, also said that he would "continue making plans to begin to give meaning to my newly released 60 years to which I arrive loaded with desire and enthusiasm." The actor has homes in the US, Spain, and near Surrey in England. He previously suffered a heart attack three years ago in January 2017 and had credited Nicole back then for saving his life after giving him aspirin as he began suffering symptoms. The actor later underwent a surgery to insert three stents in his arteries, reports state.
Banderas is the latest in a series of high-profile figures to have contracted the deadly infection. Some of the popular figures include actor Tom Hanks, Idris Elba, Bryan Cranston, and singer Pink.