Tom Hanks’ hotel site of Queensland’s first COVID-19 case
Starstruck fans of Hollywood power couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson now fear the price of getting up close and personal with the pair could be a COVID-19 infection as their children reveal their conditions. SEE WHERE THEY WENT IN SYDNEY
NSW
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Few people would have shaken more hands and posed for more selfies in Sydney and on the Gold Coast in recent weeks than superstar actor Tom Hanks and his musician wife Rita Wilson.
But starstruck fans now fear the price of getting up close and personal with the power couple could be a coronavirus infection.
Hanks and Wilson, both 63, revealed yesterday they were in isolation in a Queensland hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.
The couple were diagnosed on the Gold Coast where Hanks was preparing for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) March 12, 2020
“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,” the two-time Oscar winner said in a statement.
“We were tested for coronavirus, and were found to be positive … We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires.”
The news sent the entertainment industry into a spin with staff at television studios and venues where the couple have been forced into isolation as questions were raised about the dangers for fans.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk downplayed the risk, claiming 15 minutes of close contact was required for them to pass on the virus and “a selfie wouldn’t count as that”.
But experts said the rules are still unclear and anyone who was in any kind of physical contact with the couple — including selfies and autographs — and now has symptoms should call their GP.
“If you’ve been in contact with them casually, and have symptoms, then I would ring your doctor,” said infectious disease expert Peter Collignon.
“This is where nothing is black and white. None of these definitions are perfect but they cover the vast majority of situations.”
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said: “Whether it’s Tom Hanks or anyone with confirmed COVID-19, those in close contact need to seek urgent medical advice about if they need to be tested.”
Shooting for the Elvis film was slated to begin on Monday but has now been halted.
Hanks touched down in Sydney on January 26 before heading to rural NSW on February 2. He then went to America before returning to the Gold Coast on February 26.
The couple were at the Emporium Hotel in Brisbane on March 5 where Wilson performed before heading to Sydney where they visited Bondi Beach on March 6. The next day Wilson performed at Sydney Opera House.
She visited Channel 9’s Today Show Extra two days later for an interview with David Campbell and Belinda Russell. As a result Campbell and Russell along with all Nine’s Willoughby office who came in contact with Wilson were told to self isolate and the studio was being cleaned.
“Nine today has taken action in line with our crisis response plan around a visit to our studio by Ms Rita Wilson on Monday this week, for an appearance on Today Extra with David Campbell and Belinda Russell. Our actions are in line with the guidelines set out by the government and health authorities,” a spokesman said.
The network said they are looking for replacement hosts for Today Extra but it is understood guests have begun cancelling their appearances. Regular fill-in Ben Fordham revealed on 2GB Radio that he had been asked to fill in for David Campbell, but declined.
On Thursday night, A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw was replaced by Karl Stefanovic as a precautionary measure following a minor surgery last week. The news was greeted with shock in Hollywood where Hanks is revered. The couple’s son Chet Hanks took to social media to reassure fans.
“They’re not worried about it, they’re not tripping, but they’re going through the necessary health precautions, obviously. I appreciate everyone’s concern and well wishes but I think it’s going to be all right,” he said.
Wilson appeared in good spirits on Thursday night, posting an image to her Instagram story of her new album cover with some tongue-in-cheek words about the situation.
“Some music from my coronavirus vacation,” she wrote.
Well wishes have been pouring in for the pair with comedian Ellen DeGeneres tweeting her support.
“Wishing you both a speedy recovery, and sending lots
HANKS’ HOTEL SITE QLD’S FIRST VIRUS CASE
Prior to their shock coronavirus diagnosis, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were believed to be staying at the Peppers Resort in Broadbeach.
The $900-a-night resort was the scene of Queensland’s first reported case of the virus on January 28 — a 44-year-old Chinese national from Wuhan.
The man had been staying in a private apartment on the resort’s 37th floor when he fell ill and was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.
The incident sparked outrage among guests and residents who claimed they had been left in the dark about the diagnosis.
“We’ve been in the same building as him … shared the same elevator as him,” one resident said.
It is understood Hanks and Wilson moved to a private suite in the Oracle building — the serviced apartments section of the resort — around the same time as the infected man was removed for treatment.
A representative for Accor Hotels Asia Pacific region, which owns Peppers, said: “We do not comment on any guests who may or may not be staying with us.”
Wilson had been performing a string of live shows across the country while Hanks shoots Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic on the Gold Coast.
Production of the film has since been halted in light of the couple’s diagnosis as authorities begin contact tracing.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday said: “I have been in contact with Baz Luhrmann quite often today and he has said to me that he wants to pass on to everyone that we stand with the people of Queensland in making sure we comply with any restrictions and of course that we want to see a speedy recovery.”