Hollywood star Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have both tested positive for coronavirus.

Hanks, who has been filming an Elvis Presley biopic in Australia, posted a statement on Twitter after being diagnosed with COVID-19, saying: "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."

Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner, six-time nominee and star of films including Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan and The Post, is the highest profile figure to be diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.

He and Wilson have been isolated at the Gold Coast University Hospital and filming on the Presley biopic has been shut down.


The actor is set to play Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, in the Warner Bros production, directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said: "I can confirm that the Elvis biopic filming has been closed down.

"The lead actor Tom Hanks is in the Gold Coast Hospital and I understand that you know it'll be 14 days quarantine and testing and the like, and our hearts go out to Tom and his wife. And I'm confident that they'll get the best care that our hospital can deliver."

Mr Tate said it was Luhrmann, best known for Moulin Rouge and Romeo And Juliet, who confirmed the news to people working on the film.

Image: Hanks received his sixth Oscar nomination this year for his portrayal of US children's TV presenter Mister Rogers in A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood. Pic: TriStar Pictures/Lacey Terrell

"Once everybody was in, then the news was delivered by Baz Luhrmann himself and then everyone, well you know, is shutting down and everyone is to go home and really that's happened very early, very fast," he said.

Wilson had recently appeared in an interview on Australia's Nine network show Today Extra. Staff who had prolonged contact will be tested and required to self-isolate, the channel has said.

In a statement, Hanks has promised to keep people posted.

"Well, now. What to do next?," he said.

"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!"

The couple's son Chet posted a video on Twitter saying that he had spoken to his parents and that they are doing fine.

#ChetHanks thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers as his parents (#TomHamks & #RitaWilson) have announced they’ve tested positive for #coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/NIcalSS9m4 — Popfuzion TV (@PopFuzionTV) 12 March 2020

Hanks' son Colin also posted on the social media site, thanking fans for their support and saying his parents are receiving "excellent care".

Moments before Hanks posted on Instagram, Donald Trump addressed the US and announced a host of new measures, notably suspending all travel from Europe, excluding the UK, for 30 days starting from Friday.

The entertainment industry is also reeling from the outbreak and a host of major events have been cancelled.

Celebrity friends and fans have been quick to post get well soon messages to Hanks and Wilson on social media.

Hanks' Toy Story co-star Tim Allen joked that he should have made him wear Buzz Lightyear's space suits for protection.

I told Tom and Rita that Buzz offered a couple of spacesuits if they need them.

Seriously rest up and get well! pic.twitter.com/tsmxbS8IZk — Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) March 12, 2020

Mia Farrow wished both Hanks and Wilson "big love" and a "speedy recovery", while Julia Louis-Dreyfus tweeted: "Love and get well soon and come home soon to you and @RitaWilson."

Ellen DeGeneres tweeted: "Wishing you both a speedy recovery, and sending lots of love."

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American comedian and actress Whitney Cummings joked: "I mean Tom Hanks is who would play the guy in the movie about coronavirus."

She added in another tweet: "It's like it picked the celebrity we cared the most about to make a point."

Other celebrities, including Naomi Campbell, Kim Kardashian West and Kate Hudson, have been sharing advice about hand-washing and stopping the spread of germs on social media.