‘No crying’: Tom Hanks gives coronavirus update from hospital

Tom Hanks has given fans an update on how he and his wife, Rita Wilson are doing, after they both tested positive for the coronavirus COVID-19

The couple, both 63, were struck down by the virus while visiting the Gold Coast in Australia and they’re now in isolation at Gold Coast University Hospital.

“Hello folks. @ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us,” Tom wrote on Instagram.

“We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else. There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness.

“We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball. Hanx”

Tom was 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.

“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!”

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.

Just two day’s later, on March 7, she took to the stage at the Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House. Her husband was in attendance and their son, Truman is also believed to have been in the audience.

An Opera House spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle the performance was attended by approximately 207 people.

“Following news that the couple have tested positive for coronavirus in Queensland, the Opera House is in touch with NSW Health and Queensland Health and will be acting on their advice,”the spokesperson said.

This includes getting in touch with anyone, including patrons and staff, who may have been in contact with the couple while at the Opera House.”

The spokesperson said the Opera House has had a number of extra safety measures in place already at the iconic landmark, including additional on-site cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectant and providing hand sanitiser throughout the building.

“Dedicated venue cleaning is in operation – a process which was followed after Saturday’s performance in the Utzon Room,” the spokesperson said.

The Opera House will remain open unless otherwise advised.

Tom Hanks was set to play Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker, and on Thursday Warner Brothers released a statement addressing the news but did not confirm 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.

This week 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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