Revealed: How Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson mingled with celebrities before testing positive for coronavirus – as the deadly pandemic strikes Australia’s media elite
- Oscar-winning actor and his wife tested positive for coronovirus in Australia
- The couple were staying on the Gold Coast while Tom films Elvis Presley biopic
- The Baz Luhrmann-directed film project has shut down production
- Since arriving in late January, Tom and Rita have come into contact with several local celebrities and media professionals
- A breakfast TV host who interviewed Rita has since gone into isolation
- Publicists, producers and bodyguards are also getting tested for COVID-19
Hollywood actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Since arriving in Australia in late January, the couple, both 63, have come into contact with several local celebrities.
On Monday, Rita sat down for an interview with Today Extra’s David Campbell and Belinda Russell.
Revealed: How Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, both 63, (pictured) mingled with celebrities before testing positive for coronavirus – as the deadly pandemic strikes Australia’s media elite
As a result, David told 2GB’s Deborah Knight on Thursday that he and Belinda will be self-isolating and getting tested for coronavirus.
‘Belinda Russell and I will go get tested. We will make sure we are clear’, he said.
David explained he will be taking his three children out of school and keeping his family isolated until they’re given the all clear.
‘Belinda Russell and I will go get tested’: On Monday, Rita (centre) attended an interview with Today Extra’s David Campbell (left) and Belinda Russell (right)
Describing his interview with Rita, David said: ‘She came into the Today Extra studios on Monday and she was delightful and really nice and she didn’t have any symptoms of anything. She was cautious.’
‘She actually made a joke coming into the studios, saying we shouldn’t shake hands, we should bump elbows. So we bumped elbows.’
David said he currently feels ‘perfectly fine’ and isn’t too concerned that he’s caught coronavirus as he and Rita were only in contact for about ‘seven or eight minutes’.
Feeling fine: David (pictured left, with Belinda) said he currently feels ‘perfect fine’ and isn’t too concerned that he’s caught coronavirus as he and Rita were only in contact for about ‘seven or eight minutes’
‘Thanks for coming’: After interviewing Rita on Today Extra, David thanked her for the interview and performance
Daily Mail Australia understands that a number of other media personalities who have come into contact with Tom and Rita are now self-isolating and getting themselves tested for coronavirus.
Tom has also been in contact with celebrities while filming Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic on The Gold Coast.
Actors Rufus Sewell, Austin Butler, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Olivia DeJonge are all slated to star alongside Tom in the upcoming film.
Tom has also been in contact with celebrities while filming Baz Lurhmann’s Elvis Presley biopic on The Gold Coast. Pictured: Baz Luhrmann and wife Catherine Martin
Local talent: Australian actress Olivia DeJonge (pictured) stars alongside Tom Hanks in Baz Luhrmann’s new Elvis biopic
Australian star: Actor Austin Butler (pictured) also stars in the Elvis movie
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported on Wednesday that Baz has shut down filming, asking all crew and actors stay home from work due to Tom’s diagnosis.
‘Be assured we will keep you updated as that information develops,’ Baz reportedly wrote in a letter.
‘We request all cast and crew stay at home today and not come to work. All work activity on the production is cancelled and will not resume until further notice.’
Confirmed: Tom revealed on Instagram on Thursday that he and Rita experienced symptoms including the common cold, body aches and chills before they decided to get tested
On Thursday, Tom announced he and Rita have tested positive for coronavirus.
‘Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘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.’
Hospital: Tom also shared this picture of what appears to be a medical waste basket in a hospital