Donegal favourite John Prine is in a “critical” condition in hospital after “a sudden onset of COVID-19 symptoms.”
The 73-year-old American country star, whose wife Fiona Whelan is from Ardara, was hospitalised on Thursday and his health has been deteriorating ever since.
Ms Whelan is understood to be recovering from her illness and has appealed to people to stay at home during the crisis.
The singer’s family shared news of his battle with coronavirus on his official Twitter account on Saturday evening, as cases of the illness rocketed to 112,100 in the United States.
The statement released on behalf of Prine read: “after a sudden onset of COVID-19 symptoms, John was hospitalized on Thursday.
“He was intubated Saturday evening, and continues to receive care, but his situation is critical.”
Prine’s family added: “This is hard news for us to share. But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now.
“And know that we love you, and that John loves you.”
Prine was diagnosed with coronavirus after his wife and manager, Fiona Whelan Prince, had tested positive for the virus.
He was initially tested but the results came back as “indeterminate.”
John Prine’s wife, Fiona, has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19), and she’s begging people to stay at home out of concern for others.
Fiona Prine shared the news of her diagnosis in a video she posted to social media recently, explaining that she and her husband both got tested “late last week” and that his test came back indeterminate.
“I have some of the typical symptoms. I didn’t have a high fever, but I certainly had a cough and some breathlessness,” she says, adding that she and her husband are taking all of the necessary precautions, including being quarantined away from each other and other members of their family.
“It’s hard, I won’t lie, but it’s absolutely important,” she says.
She’s also urging everyone else to do the same to help limit the spread of the virus.
“I’m asking you to please stay at home. That’s all,” Prine says. “The government can help, and I think they are really starting to really figure out that this is serious, this is life and death for God knows how many Americans.
“They can help, but, honestly, it is truly in our hands. It is up to us Americans to make an individual decision for our families and say, ‘You know what? This is scary as hell.'”
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