March 12, 2020: Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks has revealed that he and wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Australia.
Tom Hanks said he and Rita Wilson, who are both 63, came down with a fever while in Australia and will now be isolated and monitored.
The actor said they will be "tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires."
"Not much more to it than a one-day-a-time approach, no?" added Hanks.
Hanks, who also posted his message on social media, signed off saying: "Take care of yourselves!"
Tom Hanks is the first major Hollywood star to publicly state that he has the virus that is sweeping around the world, infecting over 1.25 lakh people in 100-plus countries and killing over 4,000.
The couple had been on the Gold Coast, where Tom Hanks was working on a film about the life of Elvis Presley.
Warner Bros, which is producing the film, said in a statement without naming Tom 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."
"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.
It was not immediately clear if filming on the project would be postponed due to the actor's illness.
Australia, where Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were tested positive, has 136 confirmed cases of coronavirus and three deaths. The country on Thursday unveiled a massive US $11 billion spending plan designed to curb the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and avert the country's first recession in 29 years. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the nearly Australian $18 billion package - equivalent to just under one percent of GDP - which will primarily be targeted at businesses.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
March 12, 2020: Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks has revealed that he and wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Australia.
March 12, 2020: Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks has revealed that he and wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Australia.
Tom Hanks said he and Rita Wilson, who are both 63, came down with a fever while in Australia and will now be isolated and monitored.
The actor said they will be "tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires."
"Not much more to it than a one-day-a-time approach, no?" added Hanks.
Hanks, who also posted his message on social media, signed off saying: "Take care of yourselves!"
Tom Hanks is the first major Hollywood star to publicly state that he has the virus that is sweeping around the world, infecting over 1.25 lakh people in 100-plus countries and killing over 4,000.
The couple had been on the Gold Coast, where Tom Hanks was working on a film about the life of Elvis Presley.
Warner Bros, which is producing the film, said in a statement without naming Tom 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."
"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.
It was not immediately clear if filming on the project would be postponed due to the actor's illness.
Australia, where Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were tested positive, has 136 confirmed cases of coronavirus and three deaths. The country on Thursday unveiled a massive US $11 billion spending plan designed to curb the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and avert the country's first recession in 29 years. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the nearly Australian $18 billion package - equivalent to just under one percent of GDP - which will primarily be targeted at businesses.