TOM HANKS and Wife TEST POSITIVE for COVID-19 Amid PANDEMIC

With the declaration from the World Health Organization that the 2019 novel coronavirus has become a global pandemic, swift and sweeping action has been undertaken and currently being executed in the hope that the viral disease can be arrested before more patients test positive and, in the worst case, join the increasing death toll. From Italy imposing a nationwide lockdown, to aggressive testing and contact tracing, to the implementation of new social norms such as physical distancing, people strive to prevent one new addition to the infected. But some still are, and more heartbreakingly, the positive cases are well-known names.

Variety is but one of many entertainment news sources that have confirmed that legendary movie star and director Tom Hanks has tested positive for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, along with his wife Rita Wilson. The two have been in Australia shooting a movie under Warner Bros. Pictures when they were tested and diagnosed with the rapidly spreading infection. Hanks went on social media this Thursday, March 12, to personally confirm the news of his condition.

“We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches,” wrote Tom regarding the symptoms he and his wife developed while filming “Elvis” on Australia’s Gold Coast since January this year. “Rita had some chills that came and went,” he went on. “Slight fevers too.” The described conditions are among the initial symptoms of the novel coronavirus, with their commonality being part of the reason for the danger brought by COVID-19. Upon their tests coming up positive, Mr. and Mrs. Hanks have gone into quarantine at the Gold Cost University Hospital, where they will be isolated “for as long as public health and safety requires.” Tom did assure fans that he will remain in contact on social media to update on his and his wife’s ongoing examination.

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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!

A post shared by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) on Mar 11, 2020 at 6:08pm PDT

Tom Hank’s latest cinematic outing, Warner Bros.’ “Elvis,” is being directed by Baz Luhrmann, with the veteran Hollywood actor playing the role of Elvis Presley’s over-controlling manager Colonel Tom Parker, opposite Austin Butler as the legendary King of Rock and Roll. The film studio has also issued its own statement regarding the COVID-19 incident, and while not naming the positive case in the production, has confirmed that he is now receiving treatment with Australian health care. Filming of “Elvis,” which is due to premiere in October 2021, has been ground to a halt during Hanks’ hospitalization, with no date given on when work might resume.

Image courtesy of The Independent