Idris Elba revealed on Monday that he has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
“This morning I tested positive for Covid 19,” he tweeted. “I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus.
Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing. No panic.”
In an accompanying video, Elba added:
“I didn’t have any symptoms. I got tested because I realized I was exposed to someone who had also tested positive. I found out last Friday that they were tested positive. I quarantined myself and got a test immediately and got the results back today.”
The actor also urged his followers to
“really think about social distancing, washing your hands.” He continued, “Beyond that, there are people out there who aren’t showing symptoms and that can easily spread it, OK? So now’s the real time to be really vigilant about washing your hands and keeping your distance, OK?”
“Transparency is probably the best thing for this right now. If you’re feeling ill or you feel like you should be tested or you’ve been exposed, then do something about it, alright?” he also said. “It’s really important.”
This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing ???????????????? No panic. pic.twitter.com/Lg7HVMZglZ
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) March 16, 2020
Elba joins a growing list of notable names in entertainment who have contracted the virus.
Beloved Hollywood spouses Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have tested positive for the illness. Ukraine-born actress and model Olga Kurylenko has as well.
In the executive ranks, Universal Music chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge was hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 over the weekend.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, has also tested positive for coronavirus. (Elba had recent contact with Gregoire Trudeau on March 4 at WE Day 2020 at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London, where the pair posed for pictures together.)
The worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus has sickened nearly 170,000 people and left more than 6,500 dead, with thousands of new cases confirmed each day. The death toll in the United States climbed to 64, while infections passed 3,700.
(H/T HollywoodReporter.com)