Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have revealed that they have tested positive for coronavirus.

The actor posted a message on his Instagram – alongside a picture of a surgical glove in a bin – that the couple had felt ill while in Australia before being tested.

His message read: “​Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. 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. 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!”

Hanks, a two-time Oscar-winner and one of the world’s best loved actors, had previously posted pictures from Bondi Beach in New South Wales.

The Forrest Gump, Philadelphia and Saving Private Ryan actor has been shooting an untitled Elvis Presley biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann. Hanks plays Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The film is currently slated for release in October 2021.

Hanks and Wilson, both 63, were married in 1988. In 2013, Hanks disclosed that he has type 2 diabetes.

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organisation, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

More than 1,100 cases have been identified in the US and at least 37 people have lost their lives.