Entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins has opened up about his “bizarre” coronavirus diagnosis after he came into contact with Tom Hank’s wife, Rita Wilson.
Rita visited Channel Nine’s studios, which was where Wilkins came into contact with her, and it was not long until Rita and her husband Tom tested positive for the virus on Thursday.
Wilkins thanked everyone for their messages of support on Twitter.
“Hey… sincere thanks for all the messages… I really appreciate it,” he said.
“It’s actually a bizarre feeling to have tested positive to this thing we’ve all been talking about.
“I feel 100 per cent… no symptoms at all! Thanks again… love to all RW xx”
Hey ….sincere thanks for all the messages…I really appreciate it. 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 ! Thanks again ….love to all RW xx
— Richard Wilkins (@RichardWilkins) March 15, 2020
Those who were in close contact with Wilkins are also self-isolating.
“Richard Wilkins has tested positive to COVID-19,’ a spokesperson for the network said.
“Richard is not showing any symptoms of the virus and has been self-isolating, on his own at home, since Thursday last week.
“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.
“We want to assure everyone that Richard is feeling well and still without symptoms.”
As Wilkins was spotted hanging out with Paul Hogan, 80, and Olivia Newton-John, 71, there are fears that the pair could have contracted coronavirus as well.
However, it is unknown if they are in isolation or have undergone testing.
Tom Hanks revealed on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with coronavirus on Instagram after experiencing body aches, chills and symptoms of the common cold.
“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.
“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.
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“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! Hanx!”
The self-isolation by the celebrity couple comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that from midnight on Sunday, all people coming to Australia will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
He also said that cruise ships will be banned from docking in Australian ports for at least 30 days.
“This is very important. What we have seen in recent weeks is more countries having issues with the virus and that means that the source of some of those transitions are coming – transmissions are coming from those countries,” he said.
Social distancing, which is where Australians stay at least 1.5m away from each other and stop shaking hands, is also required.
Gatherings of more than 500 people are recently banned from Monday, with limitations on large gatherings in enclosed areas, such as theatres, to be announced later on this week.
