US President Donald Trump almost killed off actor Tom Hanks to his 74 million Twitter followers, it has been reported.

Newscorp reports Mr Trump mistakenly believed the Hollywood star had perished from coronavirus and was stopped in his tracks by Australian authorities, shortly before revealing the “news” to the world.

Hanks and his wife Rita had been receiving treatment for COVID-19 in a Gold Coast Hospital after testing positive to the virus last week.

It is believed the misunderstanding stemmed from confusion over what was meant when staff at the hospital said the Hanks’ had been “discharged”.

Camera Icon Tom and Rita Hanks have been receiving treatment for coronavirus in Australia. Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Newscorp reports sources said US Embassy officials based in Australia asked for assurances about Hanks’ health as the President prepared to break the bad news to the world.

It is understood Queensland authorities then rushed to confirm Hanks’ condition with the hospital.

After learning of the misunderstanding, the officials put in urgent calls to US Embassy officials to tell them the Castaway star was still alive and had been deemed well enough to be allowed to leave the hospital.

Health Minister Steven Miles declined to comment on the issue.

A Newscorp source, who is a senior health figure, borrowed a famous line from US writer Mark Twain, who had his obituary printed in a US newspaper while he was sick.

“It turns out that the President nearly exaggerated Tom Hanks’ death,” the source sai

Hanks working on the pre-production of Baz Luhrmann's untitled Elvis Presley biopic, when he was struck down with the illness.

He confirmed the news to his social media followers, reassuring them he was in good spirits despite the diagnosis.

"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,” he wrote.

“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? ... Take care of yourselves!"