Carmen Barbieri Hospitalized Again After Testing Positive for COVID-19

Argentine television host Carmen Barbieri was hospitalized on Saturday at the Zabala Clinic in the Belgrano neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The 71-year-old presenter of the program Con Carmen was admitted for a urinary tract infection and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, marking her second coronavirus diagnosis in less than two weeks.

Her son, actor Federico Bal, initially spoke to Teleshow from Costa Rica to explain that his mother was hospitalized due to a urinary infection. While Bal initially dismissed the possibility of a new coronavirus infection, noting that she had contracted the virus a week prior, a later test confirmed a new positive result. Bal stated that doctors are closely monitoring her recovery and expressed optimism that she would be discharged in the coming days.

This latest medical setback follows a challenging period for Barbieri, who suffered simultaneously from bronchospasm, meningitis, and COVID-19 in late October. During that episode, she experienced high fevers reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit and had to suspend her work commitments. Although she attempted to return to work afterward, she suffered a sudden drop in blood pressure and severe dizziness just as she was leaving for the studio.

“I am weak, with low blood pressure. I was about to get into the car and I got dizzy, I got so dizzy that everything went blurry,” Barbieri explained in a message to journalist Pampito regarding her previous attempt to return to work.

In addition to her ongoing physical health struggles, Barbieri recently experienced a week of high emotional distress. On Wednesday, November 4, she appeared as a witness before the Oral Criminal and Correctional Tribunal No. 17 in Buenos Aires to testify in the trial against former surgeon Aníbal Lotocki, who faces accusations of causing severe injuries to multiple patients.

Barbieri testified about the alarming medical condition of her longtime friend, Sandra Domínguez, recalling an instance when Domínguez arrived at her home experiencing severe hemorrhaging after leaving a clinic. “She almost died in my house. That night was an infernal night,” Barbieri recounted, while also mentioning the late Silvina Luna, who had also been operated on by Lotocki.

Visibly moved during her testimony, Barbieri acknowledged that she ended up in tears. Explaining her presence in court, she stated, “I did not come to testify against Lotocki. I came to talk about what happened to Sandra.” Lotocki has previously been sentenced to eight years in prison in a separate case, a ruling confirmed by the nation's Supreme Court of Justice.

Medical professionals continue to evaluate Barbieri at the clinic in Belgrano for her current infection and respiratory health. Family members and medical staff anticipate her release once her condition stabilizes sufficiently for her to return home.