Syrian actress Amal Arafa shares details of Covid-19 diagnosis

Amal Arafa, 48, is the latest Arab star to announce that she has tested positive for Covid-19.

The Syrian actress revealed the news in a lengthy Facebook post on her personal page on Monday, in which she detailed how, despite her best efforts, she still managed to catch the virus.

Arafa said she sought the opinion of five different doctors before accepting the diagnosis. The actress said she remains in relatively good health while isolating at home in Syria.

She pointed out in the post that she was very careful and took precautions to avoid contracting the virus. “The mask has been my companion, sanitisers and chlorine my favourite perfumes and I did not contact anyone.

“I am strong and I will deal with my condition as if it was a flu.”

Arafa implored fans to take the virus seriously. "Pay attention to the elderly," she said. "Pay attention to patients with chronic diseases and be aware of recklessness. After a few days I will recover, and I will come back to continue filming."

A number of Arafa's colleagues have sent their best wishes to the star. Speaking to the website ET Bel Arabi, Syrian actor Bassem Yakhour wished her a speedy recovery and urged the public "to be aware of the situation as no one knows if they will get this virus and how it may arrive".

Actor Mustafa El Khani praised Arafa's positive spirit when confronting the pandemic. "It is impossible a disease like coronavirus will beat her," he told ET Bel Arabi. "I am sure she will overcome this challenge."

Although it is unclear what project she was working on at the time of her diagnosis, it has already been a busy year for Arafa, who has had starring roles in two Syrian dramas, the Ramadan series Haress Al Qudus (Guardian of Jerusalem) and the recently broadcast Share' Chicago (Chicago Street).

Syrian actor Ahmed Rafea also had Covid-19

Arafa is not the only Syrian actor to have contracted Covid-19. Last month it was announced that her co-star in Haress Al Qudus, veteran actor Ahmed Rafea, was also recovering from his own bout with the virus.

Posting the news on Facebook, his son Nour said that Rafea was at the time isolating in the family home after being admitted to a Damascus hospital.

Elsewhere in the region, Saudi singer Waed revealed that her daughter, Hossna, had tested positive for the virus in July.

The pandemic has also led to the death of a number of high-profile cultural figures. Those who died from complications related to the coronavirus include Lebanese singer Marwan Mahfouz, who died aged 78 on July 25, Saudi Arabian singer Saad Al Tamimi, who died aged 93 on July 16, and Egyptian actress Ragaa Al Geddawy who died on July 5 at the age of 81.