Famous People Diagnosed with Novel Coronavirus
An increasing number of household names — politicians, athletes and celebrities — have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Idris Elba, actor
Idris Elba tweeted a video statement saying he had tested positive for COVID-19.
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
Tom Hanks, actor
Tom Hanks, 63 years old, became the first celebrity, along with his wife, to go public with the diagnosis.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) March 12, 2020
Rita Wilson, actress
Rita Wilson, Hanks’ wife and an actress, also tested positive. She is 63.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) March 13, 2020
Kristofer Hivju, actor
Kristofer Hivju, who played Tormund on “Game of Thrones,” said on Instagram that he has tested positive for COVID-19 in Norway with mild cold symptoms.
He and his family are self-isolating, he said.
Daniel Dae Kim, actor
“Hawaii Five-0” and “Lost” actor Daniel Dae Kim revealed he tested positive for the Coronavirus in a 10-minute Instagram video.
Olga Kurylenko, actress
Olga Kurylenko, who starred in the 2008 James Bond film “Quantum of Solace,” said in an instagram post that she has coronavirus.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Trudeau’s office says Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has tested positive for the coronavirus.
“As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days,” Trudeau’s office said, adding his wife’s symptoms are mild and she is feeling well. “The Prime Minister will continue to fully assume his duties and will address Canadians tomorrow.”
Gregoire Trudeau had been exhibiting flu-like symptoms after recently returning from a speaking engagement in London, before testing for COVID-19. She spoke at the WE UK Day conference in London on March 4, according to the organization’s website.
His office said that because Trudeau has shown no symptoms, doctors say there are no risks to those who have been in contact with him.
Francis Suarez, Miami Mayor
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, four days after the mayor attended a Miami event with a Brazilian government official who later tested positive for the virus.
Rudy Gobert, NBA star
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) tested positive for coronavirus, prompting the NBA to take the extraordinary step of suspending its season.
Before leaving a media session at shootaround in Salt Lake City on Monday in advance of a game against Detroit, Gobert touched all the tape recorders that were placed before him on a table, devices that reporters who cover the Jazz were using.
“You know, there’s not much we can do right now,” Gobert said in that session when asked about how teams are dealing with the virus. And a minute or so later, before he ran out a side door, he touched all the recorders.
He said it was in jest. It isn’t so funny now.
“I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis … mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment,” Gobert wrote. “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.”
Donovan Mitchell, NBA star
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell had tested positive for the virus.
Mitchell’s positive test was not known until early Thursday, the first full day of the NBA’s hiatus. Jazz players, staff and some beat writers covering the team were tested Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, where Utah was to play the Thunder in a game that was called off moments before tipoff once word about Gobert’s positive test was received.
Daniele Rugani, Italian national soccer team star
Italian soccer club Juventus announced on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, that defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for new coronavirus. Rugani, who is also an Italy international, is the first player in Italy’s top soccer division to test positive but Juventus stressed that the 25-year-old has no symptoms.
Juventus’ match against Lyon was canceled by UEFA after the news. There was a second player also testing positive, announced on Thursday — Sampdoria striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
“I’ve already received so very many messages. But I still want to reassure you that I’m fine, so don’t worry,” Gabbiadini, who was in self-isolation, wrote on Twitter.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s head coach
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing the club to close its training complex and put the entire first-team in self isolation.
Arsenal was due to play at Brighton on Saturday, with the Premier League pushing ahead with a full fixture list and stadiums with fans — unlike most other major European leagues.
However, Arsenal said the positive test means “it is clear we will not be able to play some fixtures on their currently scheduled dates.”
The club issued a statement quoting Arteta as saying: “This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed.”
Arsenal’s game at Manchester City was called off on Wednesday after players came into contact with a rival team owner who announced Tuesday that he had contracted COVID-19.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea winger
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive.
“I had the virus for the last couple of days, which I’ve recovered from,” Hudson-Odoi said in a video posted on social media. “I’m following the health guidelines and self-isolating myself from everybody for the week. I hope to see everybody soon and hopefully be back on the pitch very soon. Take care.”
UEFA said it was stopping next week’s games in all competitions, including the two remaining Champions League matches which had not been already called off — Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea and Barcelona vs. Napoli, both scheduled for Wednesday.
Christian Wood, NBA forward
Detroit Pistons’ Christian Wood, 24, is the third known player in the NBA to have a positive test for the virus.