An increasing number of celebrities are coming forward to say that they have tested positive for coronavirus. This shows that being famous does nothing to protect someone from this highly contagious disease. From Hollywood to the NBA to the world stage, no one is immune to this novel virus. So far, household names like Tom Hanks, Idris Elba, and Kevin Durant have gone public.
Below we’ve compiled the most notable celebrities and public figures who have admitted to being diagnosed with coronavirus to date, and some of them will undoubtedly come as a surprise to you.
(Updated 03/20/2020)
The seemingly invincible leader of the Wildlings from the hugely popular HBO series “Game Of Thrones” announced that he is COVID-19 positive on March 16. The actor posted an extensive update to Instagram for his fans from his home country Norway.
The actor of “Hawaii Five-O” and “Lost” fame shared an extensive video update with his fans on Instagram yesterday. The 10-minute long video gives the world the full story of his symptom onset and eventual diagnosis.
The actor presumably contracted the virus while shooting a television show in NY. Ironically, Kim plays a doctor in the midst of a flu pandemic on the show.
The NBA roster continues to be lit up by the contagion. Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, further highlighted below, were the first two to test positive. Since, a domino effect of positives has rippled through the pro basketball world. Notable players include:
Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets: “Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We’re going to get through this.”
Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics: “The younger generation in our country MUST self distance. This is not a joke.”
Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons was the first NBA player to test positive outside of the Utah Jazz organization.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Philadelphia 76ers have all confirmed positive coronavirus tests within their organizations however they have yet to disclose the names.
Today, actor Idris Elba became the latest celebrity to reveal his coronavirus diagnosis.
“This morning I tested positive for Covid 19,” the star tweeted. “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.”
“I didn’t have any symptoms. I got tested because I realized I was exposed to someone who had also tested positive,” Elba added in an accompanying video. “I found out last Friday that they were tested positive. I quarantined myself and got a test immediately and got the results back today.”
Idris Elba went on to urge his fans to “really think about social distancing, washing your hands.”
RELATED: Hillary Duff Obliterates ‘Millennial A-Holes’ Who Are Partying Instead Of Quarantining
“Beyond that, there are people out there who aren’t showing symptoms and that can easily spread it, OK? So now’s the real time to be really vigilant about washing your hands and keeping your distance, OK?” he said. “Transparency is probably the best thing for this right now. If you’re feeling ill or you feel like you should be tested or you’ve been exposed, then do something about it, alright? It’s really important.”
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were the first big names in Hollywood to say that they tested positive for coronavirus. The couple revealed the sad news on social media last week.
Hanks let his fans know that the couple was shooting a movie – an Elvis Presley biopic – in Australia when they started to feel sick.
“We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches,” Tom Hanks said. “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.”
RELATED: Tom Hanks’ Sons Post Video Update On Their Dad’s Coronavirus Diagnosis
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have been in isolation ever since. The two are in stable condition at this time, according to Fox10 Phoenix.
Olga Kurylenko, best known for starring in the 2008 James Bond movie Quantum Of Solace, revealed today that she too is diagnosed with coronavirus.
“Locked up at home after having tested positive for Coronavirus,” the 40 year-old Ukrainian born model wrote. “I’ve actually been ill for almost a week now. Fever and fatigue are my main symptoms. Take care of yourself and do take this seriously!”
Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell were the first two players in the NBA to test positive for coronvirus.
Gobert’s diagnosis caused a major stir after footage showed the player touching multiple microphones at a press conference prior to his diagnosis. The 7 ft. 1 in. Utah Jazz forward has since apologized for looking at coronavirus as a joke.
“I wish I would have taken this thing more seriously and I hope everyone else will do so because we can do it together,” Gobert said.
The worlds of Hollywood and sports celebrities aren’t the only ones hit by the coronavirus. Prominent political figures are testing positive as well.
In fact, last week it was revealed that Sophie Trudeau, the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tested positive for coronavirus.
” Unfortunately, the results of Sophie’s COVID-19 test are positive,” the prime minister tweeted last Thursday. “Therefore, she will be in quarantine for the time being. Her symptoms remain mild and she is taking care of herself and following the advice of our doctor.”
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced on Friday that he has been diagnosed with coronavirus as well.
“It is confirmed that I have the coronavirus,” Suarez said. “I did test positive for it.”
He later released a statement urging anyone who had come in contact with him recently to get tested.
“If we did not shake hands or you did not come into contact with me if I coughed or sneezed, there is no action you need to take whatsoever,” he said. “If we did, however, touch or shake hands, or if I sneezed or coughed near you since Monday, it is recommended that you self-isolate for 14 days, but you do not need to get tested. After speaking with medical personnel, I will continue to follow Department of Health protocol and remain isolated while I lead our government remotely.”
Here are some other names you might know that went public with their fight:
Begona Gomez: The first lady of Spain, wife to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, is positive and doing fine according to officials.
Peter Dutton: The home affairs minister of Australia is positive and in hospital quarantine at this time.
The list of celebrities affected by coronavirus will undoubtedly get longer in the coming days and weeks.
This virus doesn’t care if someone is famous or unknown, rich or poor, old or young. Anyone can get it. Tom Hanks, Idris Elba, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gobert, and more are evidence of that.
We will continue to update this story as more notable names are diagnosed.
Please keep all those who are infected so far in your thoughts and prayers. And let’s also pray that a treatment is found soon.
The Hollywood star Ryan Gosling is speaking out this week to say that he keeps…
After Dumber and Dumber To finished filming in 2014, Jeff Daniels told co-star Jim Carrey,…
The singer Britney Spears has revealed that she is the latest celebrity to be ditching…
Cher was once broke. But she was able to come back out of it, as…
Johnny Depp has officially launched his Hollywood comeback in the wake of him coming out…
The former "Beverly Hills, 90210" star Jason Priestley recently became the latest in a long…