'Bizarre feeling': Richard Wilkins tests positive for coronavirus

Channel Nine’s entertainment editor and host of Weekend Today Richard Wilkins has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Mr Wilkins has been self isolating since Thursday, according to Nine News and has thanked those who have sent him kind messages on Twitter on Sunday night.

“Sincere thanks for all the messages...I really appreciate it,” the morning show host tweeted.

“It’s actually a bizarre feeling to have tested positive to this thing we’ve all been talking about. I feel 100%... no symptoms at all!”

“Since he is still without symptoms the authorities advise that he has not knowingly put others at risk, although anyone he has been in contact with prior to Thursday afternoon has been notified and will be tested if they show any symptoms of the virus,” a Nine spokesperson said.

“We want to assure everyone that Richard is feeling well and still without symptoms.”

Nine News also said it was unclear how Mr Wilkins contracted COVID-19, however, he did recently meet with American singer and actress, Rita Wilson, when she appeared on the Today show.

Ms Wilson and her husband Tom Hanks both tested positive for COVID-19. The famous couple has been isolating in Australia since January.

Mr Hanks has been working on Baz Luhrmann’s unnamed Elvis Presley movie, while Ms Wilson has performing, including at the Sydney Opera House.

Mr Wilkins tweeted about Ms Wilson’s performance at the Opera House on March 8, saying she was “so good” and promoting her upcoming appearance on Today Show Extra on March 9.

After Ms Wilson’s appearance on the follow-up edition to the morning show, where she was interviewed by Belinda Russell and David Campbell, 20 staff members were quarantined after Mr Hanks revealed the two had tested positive on Instagram.

There has been no news on whether Ms Russell or Mr Campbell have tested positive, however Ms Campbell did take to Twitter on Friday after the news broke Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton returned a positive test.

“So Peter Dutton got his results quickly. Meanwhile David Campbell and I and thousands of others are still waiting....” she tweeted.

On Saturday, sharing a TikTok, Ms Campbell said she was “feeling good” and said two of her colleagues had tested negative.

Mr Campbell also took a swing at Australian politicians following the news of Mr Dutton.

“I am in self isolation because I interviewed Rita Wilson for a total of maybe 15 mins,” he tweeted on Saturday.

“Yet the PM reckons he is ok after Dutton gets a positive diagnosis. To reduce infection we must all do the right thing. Even the PM.”

Over the weekend two more patients confirmed to have the coronavirus died, taking Australia’s death toll to five.

A 90-year-old woman died on Saturday and testing confirmed that she had COVID-19, NSW Health said in a statement on Sunday night and a 77-year-old woman has also died from coronavirus, NSW Health said on Sunday.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned Australians to expect further restrictions and intrusions into their daily lives as the government takes further steps to try to stem the spread of the infection.

All people coming to Australia from 12am on Monday will have to self-isolate for 14 days, while cruise ships will be banned from arriving at Australian ports for an initial 30 days.

All non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people have also been discouraged from Monday.

While schools will remain open "social distancing" will be increased and practices at aged care facilities are under review.

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