Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 29) — BTS member Jung Kook has tested positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in the United States for their upcoming performance at the Grammy Awards.
The youngest member and vocalist of the record-breaking boy band arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday after leaving South Korea ahead of his fellow BTS members.
The supergroup’s agency BigHit said Jung Kook immediately took two COVID-19 tests after experiencing a slight discomfort in his throat and both tests yielded positive results.
The K-pop group that is taking over the world is set to perform live at the Grammy Awards on Monday (Philippine time).
BTS is also nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their second all-English song “Butter.”
However, BigHit said Jung Kook’s participation remains up in the air.
“Jung Kook’s participation in the later schedule in the United States will be determined by the local regulations on COVID-19, while we are actively in discussion with the awards organizer,” the agency said.
Las Vegas allows those who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate for five days. If they are asymptomatic by the end of the five-day period, they may end their isolation but they have to wear a face mask for five days to minimize the risk of infecting others.
Six of the 7 members flew from South Korea to U.S. this week for the Grammys and their upcoming four-night residency in Las Vegas.
The group’s main dancer j-hope is still in South Korea as he completes his quarantine after also testing positive for the infection last week.
All seven members have contracted the virus in the past four months.
