COVID-19, a.k.a. Coronavirus, does not discriminate – and celebrities are bringing awareness to the virus by opening up about their diagnoses.
Lost actor Daniel Dae Kim, Boston Celtics player Marcus Smart, Game Of Thrones actress Indira Varma, and singer-songwriter Charlotte Lawrence are among the latest celebrities to open up about testing positive for coronavirus.
Daniel Dae Kim
On Thursday (March 19), Daniel Dae Kim shared a video on Instagram where he talked about the details of how he may have contracted the virus and what prompted him to get himself tested.
“Hi everyone- yesterday I was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Looks like I’ll be ok, but I wanted share my journey with you in the hopes that you find it informative or helpful,” he wrote in the caption. “Hope you all stay safe, calm, and above all, healthy.”
Marcus Smart
Boston Celtics shooting guard Marcus Smart opened up about his diagnosis on Twitter on Thursday (March 19).
“I was tested 5 days ago and the results came back tonight, which were positive,” he revealed. “Ive been self quarantined since the test, thank goodness. COVID-19 must be taken w the highest of seriousness. I know it’s a #1 priority for our nations health experts, & we must get more testing ASAP”
Indira Varma
Indira Varma, who starred as Ellaria Sand on Game Of Thrones, is now doing a play in London’s West-End, The Seagull.
The West End theaters announced closure with immediate affect of Monday (March 16). (Broadway announced shutting down shows amidst the coronavirus pandemic on March 12).
On Tuesday (March 17), Indira took to Instagram to mourn the closure of shows around the world and revealed that she has taken to bed with the virus.
“So sad our and so many other shows around the world have gone dark affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” she wrote alongside photos from the production. “We hope to be back soon and urge you all (and the govt) to support us when we do. Phoenix/ Seagull rising from the ashes. I’m in bed with it and it’s not nice. Stay safe and healthy and be kind to your fellow people.❤️💜❤️”
Charlotte Lawrence
19-year-old singer songwriter Charlotte Lawrence went on Instagram on Tuesday (March 17) to share that her doctor recently informed her she tested positive for COVID-19, assuring fans she will be fine and imploring everyone to stay safe and healthy amidst the outbreak.
“I am going to be completely fine. But many who get it won’t be if many people get sick too quickly,” she wrote in a lengthy post. “So this is not me asking for prayers, for love, for sweet messages. This is me pleading for you all to protect those less able to survive this virus.”
“Stay inside. Please. Whether you feel sick or not, stay inside… we have the power to slow this down,” she continued, in part. “So please, please isolate yourself. Stay clean. Stay informed. Stay aware and make others aware. And for the love of god, self f–king quarantine or you’ll be on my s–t list.”
Other stars who have previously shared their diagnoses are:
Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson
Tom Hanks has revealed he and wife, Rita Wilson, have tested positive for the Coronavirus.
The couple, who are in Australia as Tom works on pre-production for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic, announced the news on Instagram on Wednesday (March 11).
“Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches,” Tom began. “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,” he continued. “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!”
Five days since being admitted in a Queensland hospital, their son Chet gave an update on his parents’ condition – they’re out of the hospital and are self-quarantining in a house in Australia.
“Quick update on my folks — they’re out of the hospital, they’re still self-quarantined obviously, but they’re feeling a lot better. So that’s a relief,” he shared in an Instagram video. “I just want to say to anyone out there who has loved ones, or if you yourself are afflicted with the virus, my prayers go out to you, because a lot of people are suffering other than my parents right now.”
“I just wish everyone a safe and speedy recovery, and I think the most important thing is we just stay calm,” he continued, and reminded people to not hoard supplies, “I think if we all are just a little less selfish and more selfless, we’re going to be completely fine.”
Idris Elba
Idris Elba has also tested positive for Coronavirus.
“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,” he wrote on Twitter, alongside a video where he talked about his results.
He has quarantined himself upon learning that a person he came into contact with tested positive and got himself tested ASAP. He also revealed that his wife, Sabrina Dowhre, is yet to be tested and is not showing any symptoms.
Kristofer Hivju
Game Of Thrones actor Kristofer Hivju, who portrayed Tormund Gianstbane on the show, revealed that he has also caught the virus.
“Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, Corona virus,” Kristofer captioned a photo of him and his wife, Gry Molvær Hivju on Instagram. “My familiy and I are self-isolating at home for as long as it takes. We are in good health – I only have mild symptoms of a cold. There are people at higher risk for who this virus might be a devastating diagnosis, so I urge all of you to be extremely careful; wash your hands, keep 1,5 meters distance from others, go in quarantine; just do everything you can to stop the virus from spreading.”
“Together we can fight this virus and avert a crisis at our hospitals,” he continued. “Please take care of each other, keep your distance, and stay healthy! Please visit your country’s Center for Disease Control’s website, and follow the regulations for staying safe and protecting not just yourselves, but our entire community, and especially those at risk like the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions.”
Olga Kurylenko
Quantum of Solace actress Olga Kurylenko revealed that she has been sick for sometime and is practicing self quarantine.
“Locked up at home after having tested positive for Coronavirus. 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!” she wrote on Instagram.
Rudy Gobert
Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert is among the first of the NBA players to test positive for COVID-19. The NBA has announced suspension of the season amid news of his diagnosis.
“I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours. I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis…mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment,” Rudy wrote on Instagram Thursday (March 12). “The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse.”
“I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously. I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as a way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus,” he continued. “I am under great care and will fully recover. Thank you again for all your support. I encourage everyone to take all of the steps to stay safe and healthy. Love.”
Donovan Mitchell
Another Utah Jazz player, Donovan Mitchell, also revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19 – just hours after Rudy opened up about his diagnosis.
“Thanks to everyone who has been reaching out since hearing the news about my positive test,” he wrote on Instagram.
“We are all learning more about the seriousness of this situation and hopefully people can continue to educate themselves and realize that they need to behave responsibly both for their own health and for the well being of those around them,” he explained. “I appreciate the authorities in Oklahoma who were helpful with the testing process and everyone from the @utahjazz who have been so supportive. I am going to keep following the advice of our medical staff and hope that we can all come together and be there for each other and our neighbors who need our help❤️?.”
Christian Wood (report)
The Detroit Pistons recently issued a statement that one of their players have tested positive with the Coronavirus.
“A player on the Detroit Pistons, who is under the care of team medical staff and in self-isolation since Wednesday night, was tested for COVID-19,” the statement read.
“A preliminary positive result came back on March 14. The health and safety of our players, our organization, those throughout our league, and all those potentially impacted by this situation is paramount,” the statement continued. “We are working closely with team medical staff, state and local government and public health officials and the NBA on reporting. The individual will remain in isolation and under the care of team medical staff.”
The statement does not name which player. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Christian Wood has reportedly tested positive for the virus. So far, neither Christian nor the Pistons have confirmed that diagnosis.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has also tested positive for COVID-19.
The Canadian Prime Minister announced the news on Twitter on Friday (March 13).
“I have some additional news to share this evening. Unfortunately, the results of Sophie’s COVID-19 test are positive. 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, he tweeted, adding, “I am feeling fine & I’m not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus, but I will also be following the advice of our doctor and I will continue to self-isolate for now. During that time, as I did today, I’ll continue to work from home and conduct meetings via video & teleconference.”
Praying for the speedy recovery of the sick and safety of everyone in the midst of the outbreak.
