LONDON: Idris Elba is the latest celebrity to test positive for the coronavirus, the actor made the announcement on Monday.
“This morning I tested positive for Covid 19,” he wrote. “I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus.”
The Golden-Globe winning star of BBC’s “Luther” and Marvel’s “Avengers” joins a list of actors who have tested positive for the virus recently, including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Kristofer Hivju of “Game of Thrones” and former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko.
Elba said he was tested last Friday after someone he had been exposed to tested positive. “Look, this is serious,” the actor warned. “Now is the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands.”
Elba’s wife, Sabrina Dhowre, appeared beside him in his video. Elba said she has not been tested but was “doing OK.”
UK theaters closed on Monday after the government said to avoid public places. Over 1,500 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the UK resulting in 55 deaths.
He added: “Look we live in a divided world right now…but now is a time for solidarity. Now is a time for thinking about each other. There are so many people whose lives have been affected.”
Elba is the latest high profile star to share news of his coronavirus diagnosis. Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson announced they had tested positive for coronavirus last week.
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This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing ???????????????? No panic. pic.twitter.com/Lg7HVMZglZ
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) March 16, 2020
