Recently, the news that Placido Domingo, one of the world's top four tenors, had died at the age of 79 from COVID-19 caught many by surprise. But the news turned out to be false.

The website GMA news did report the death of Domingo. However, it was referring to an actor and not the famed tenor.

"Veteran actor Domingo 'Menggie' Cobarrubias died on Thursday morning, March 26, due to pneumonia. He was 68 years old. His son Gino Cobarrubias confired the heartbreaking news to GMA News Online in a Facebook private message," said the news outlet. 

The day before his death, Domingo Cobarrubias wrote 'goodbye' on his Facebook account.

Although Placido Domingo's death from COVID-19 was reported to be false, the Associated Press reported that he is indeed infected with the coronavirus, which he confirmed on his Facebook page. 

"I feel it is my moral duty to announce to you that I have tested positive for COVID19. My Family and I are all in self-isolation for as long as it is deemed medically necessary," he wrote.

Domingo also encouraged people to follow the guidelines and regulations of the government saying: "Together we can fight this virus and stop the current worldwide crisis, so we can hopefully return to our normal daily lives very soon."

(Cover image: Placido Domingo, one of the world's top four tenors, attends a press conference in Beijing, China, September 2, 2016. /VCG File photo)