In what is probably the first celebrity victims of Covid-19 (coronavirus) actor Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson have tested positive for the dreaded Covid-19 (coronavirus) while at the Gold Coast in Queensland where they were doing pre-production work for the latest Baz Luhrman film based on rock n’roll legend Elvis Presley.
Mr Hanks who is set to play the role of Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker said in a press statement: “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.”
He added that he and Ms. Wilson “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!”
Warner Brothers which is behind the Presley film issued its own statement without identifying Mr Hanks: “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).
“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.”
As of Wednesday, there were more than 120 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Australia.