K-pop star Chungha, 24, has tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) today, Dec. 7, her agency announced.
"After being aware that she has come into contact with a COVID-19 patient, Chungha got tested and received the positive result Monday," said MNH Entertainment, Yonhap News reported.
The agency said Chungha has stopped all her activities and went into self-isolation immediately while other artists, staff and employees who have had close contact with her will be tested for the virus.
Chungha apologized, writing, "I'm so sorry again and again. I've tried to be cautious, but I think I needed to be more so. I'll come back after fully recovering."
She tested positive just days before she was scheduled to release her single “X” on Dec. 10, part of her album "Querencia" that will be released in January.
Chungha is the seventh Korean singer to be reported to catch the virus after trot singer Lee Chan-won, who tested positive on Dec. 7.
K-pop girl group Everglow members Yiren and Sihyeon also tested positive for COVID-19 as well as K-pop boy band UP10TION’s Bitto and Kogyeol.
The first singer to be diagnosed with COVID-19 was boy band Supernova’s leader Yoonhak in April.