Coronavirus: Actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson test positive

Tom Hanks has contracted coronavirus during his time in Australia, which he’s called home for the past two months.

News has just broken that Hollywood actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for coronavirus during their stay in Australia.

The Oscar-winning actor announced via his Instagram page the pair tested positive for COVID-19 on the Gold Coast.

Hanks, 63, is currently in Queensland filming Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic, but said he will need to be “observed and isolated” for the time being.

Warner Bros, the studio behind Elvis, said in a statement: “We have been made aware that a company member from our Elvis feature film, which is currently in pre-production on the Gold Coast, Australia, has been tested positive for COVID-19.

“We are working closely with the appropriate Australian health agencies to identify and contact anyone who may have come in direct contact with the individual. The health and safety of our company members is always our top priority, and we are taking precautions to protect anyone who works on our productions around the world.

“The individual who tested positive for COVID-19 is currently receiving treatment.”

The movie will look at Presley’s life, music and the cultural landscape that embraced his style of celebrity, while focusing on the relationship between the superstar and his complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks), over 20 years.

Hanks arrived on the Gold Coast in mid-January and has been spotted out and about enjoying the sights of the sunshine state.

US actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson. Picture: VALERIE MACON / AFP

He was snapped enjoying a stroll on the beach on the last day of January, where he gleefully waved at photographers.

He popped into Bon Bon bar at Mermaid Beach in February and two young diners asked him to be in a photo. Hanks reportedly said “of course” and suggested “a fun photo” instead of a standard happy snap, so they all threw their hands in the air.

Actor Tom Hanks at Bonita Bonita & Bon Bon Bar, Mermaid Beach. Picture: Instagram/@micahwarz

Just last week an excited fan uploaded a selfie with Hanks on the beach, saying he was a “proper legend”.

Four days ago Hanks posted a photo from Bondi Beach.

Given pre-production on the Elvis film only started a few weeks ago, it is likely Hanks was expected to call Australia home for months to come.

Hanks’ wife Rita Wilson has also been working during their stay in Australia, after performing at the Opera House on Saturday March 7, where she sang songs from her new album, Halfway to Home.

Wilson also performed on Channel 9’s Today Extra on Monday.

As of this morning Australia has almost 150 cases, with 77 in New South Wales, 25 in Victoria, 20 in Queensland, 9 in both Western Australia and South Australia, three in Tasmania, one each in the NT and ACT and 10 on the Diamond Princess.

More to come

Originally published as Coronavirus: Actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson test positive