As the coronavirus spreads, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are amongst the first celebrities to confirm being tested positive for it.
In a recent Instagram post, actor Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, announced that they had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), the disease that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, according to the BBC.
In the actor's post, Hanks put a picture of a latex glove on a yellow trash bag covering a garbage can with the caption, "Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. 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." According to CNN, the Forrest Gump actor's representative confirmed this piece of news to the outlet but gave no additional comment.
The 63-year-old actor was in Australia for pre-production work on a film about singer Elvis Presley in which he plays the music icon’s longtime manager Colonel Tom Parker, said a statement by Warner Bros., according to NY Times. But filming has been halted amongst this news and currently, Hanks and Wilson are in isolation, more than ready to follow the protocols set forth. The former added in his post caption, "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?" He ended the post with reassurance for his fans and loved ones, saying, "We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves! Hanx!"
Meanwhile, authorities are working to find out the source of the virus and anyone else who has come in contact with infected people. "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," Warner Bros. said in a statement, reported CNN. "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." According to The Guardian, the cast and crew who were also working with the film were sent an email instructing them to stay away from the set after a member of the production team tested positive for the virus.
While fans may be worried about the celebrity couple's health, their son, rapper Chet Hanks revealed that his parents aren't too stressed about their diagnosis. According to People, in a video shared on Instagram, Chet said, “What’s up everyone? Yeah, it’s true. My parents got coronavirus. Crazy. They’re both down in Australia right now because my dad was shooting a movie down there.” He continued, “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. But 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 but I appreciate it,” he added. “Everybody stay safe out there. Much love.” Shortly after, Hank's other son, actor Colin Hanks, opened up as well. “We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from everyone,” the 42-year-old wrote. “My parents are receiving excellent care in Australia and are doing well (and in good spirits) given the circumstances. Despite the fact that I’m in LA and haven’t seen them in over three weeks, we have been in constant contact and am confident that they will make a full recovery.”
Well, we hope so too. In the meantime, in order to know how to protect yourself from contracting the virus, read here for information.
References:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51839944
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/11/entertainment/tom-hanks-rita-wilson-coronavirus/index.html
https://people.com/health/tom-hanks-and-rita-wilson-son-chet-talks-parents-coronavirus-diagnosis/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/business/media/tom-hanks-coronavirus.html
