Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson test positive for coronavirus

Couple taking a ‘one-day-at-a-time approach’ after being found to have Covid-19 while in Australia

Phil Thomas
New York
Thursday 12 March 2020 02:21 GMT
Comments
Tom Hanks chokes up during emotional Golden Globes speech

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have revealed that they have tested positive for coronavirus.

The actor posted a message on his Instagram – alongside a picture of a surgical glove in a bin – that the couple had felt ill while in Australia before being tested.

His message read: “​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. 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!”

Hanks, a two-time Oscar-winner and one of the world’s best loved actors, had previously posted pictures from Bondi Beach in New South Wales.

The Forrest Gump, Philadelphia and Saving Private Ryan actor has been shooting an untitled Elvis Presley biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann. Hanks plays Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The film is currently slated for release in October 2021.

Hanks and Wilson, both 63, were married in 1988. In 2013, Hanks disclosed that he has type 2 diabetes.

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organisation, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

More than 1,100 cases have been identified in the US and at least 37 people have lost their lives.

On Wednesday Donald Trump gave an address to the nation from the Oval Office in which he outlined measures designed to contain the spread of the virus, including a ban on all travel from Europe – with the exception of the United Kingdom – for 30 days.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in