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Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson test positive to coronavirus
Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson have tested positive for COVID-19
The actor and his wife Rita Wilson, both 63, were struck down by the virus while visiting the Gold Coast in Australia, with reports the pair have been hospitalised.
Tom is the first celebrity confirmed to have the highly contagious virus that has snowballed into a global pandemic.
The couple confirmed the news with a statement on Wednesday.
A post shared by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) on
“Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia,” Tom wrote on Instagram.
“We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive.
Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no?
We’ll keep the world posted and updated.
Take care of yourselves!”
The pair join more than 120 other cases confirmed in Australia as of Wednesday, and are rumoured to be at Gold Coast Private Hospital.
The hospital was unable to comment on the reports.
Tom and Rita’s son speaks out
Tom and Rita’s 29-year-old son, Chet Hanks, took to his Instagram account to post a video update after speaking to his mum and dad over the phone.
“Yeah it’s true, my parents got coronavirus, crazy,” he started.
“They’re both down in Australia now because my dad was shooting a movie down there but I just got off the phone with them, they both are fine, they’re not even that sick.
“They’re not worried about it, they’re not trippin’ but they’re going through the necessary health precautions obviously. I don’t think it’s anything to be too worried about, I appreciate everyone’s concern and the well wishes but I think it’s all going to be alright.”
Tom and Rita’s path around Australia
Tom and Rita have been in Australia since January while Tom works on Baz Luhrmann’s unnamed Elvis Presley movie.
On Thursday, March 5, Rita performed in the ballroom of the Emporium Hotel South Bank in Brisbane. Their son Truman was in the audience.
Tom is set to play Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker, and today Warner Brothers released a statement addressing the news but did not confirm it Hanks’ identity.
“We have been made aware that a company member from our Elvis feature film, which is currently in pre-production in The Gold Coast, Australia, has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus),” a spokesperson said.
“We are working closely with the appropriate Australian health agencies to identify and contact anyone who may have come in direct contact with the individual. The health and safety of our company members is always our top priority, and we are taking precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world.
“The individual who tested positive for COVID-19 is currently receiving treatment.”
Australia reacts to coronavirus
Australia is reeling by the global pandemic that has already seen Italy place under lockdown.
Today Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an $18 billion rescue package with funding for small businesses, pensioners and the aged-care sector among its largest elements.
The pandemic has caused some panic among worried members of the public seeking to prepare for the worst, now experts are stepping in with clear guidelines of what exactly you should be stocking up on ahead of potential isolation.
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