Richard Wilkins tests positive for coronavirus, Channel 9 confirms

Richard Wilkins has confirmed he has tested positive for coronavirus and has been self-isolating at home since Thursday.

Weekend Today host and Channel 9 Entertainment Editor Richard “Dickie” Wilkins has tested positive for coronavirus.

And he’s not letting it get him down.

Hey ....sincere thanks for all the messages...I really appreciate it. It’s actually a bizarre feeling to have tested positive to this thing we’ve all been talking about. I feel 100% ...no symptoms at all ! Thanks again ....love to all RW xx

— Richard Wilkins (@RichardWilkins) March 15, 2020

A Channel 9 spokesman confirmed the news on Sunday and said: “Richard is not showing any symptoms of the virus and has been self-isolating, on his own at home, since Thursday last week.

“Since he is still without symptoms the authorities advise that he has not knowingly put others at risk, although anyone he has been in contact with prior to Thursday afternoon has been notified and will be tested if they show any symptoms of the virus.

“We want to assure everyone that Richard is feeling well and still without symptoms.”

Breaking - Big love to @RichardWilkins who has tested positive to coronavirus. I spoke to Dickie tonight and he feels fine. More on @TheTodayShow in the morning.

— Ben Fordham (@BenFordham) March 15, 2020

RELATED: Self-isolation - What you need to know

The confirmation comes after Wilkins came in close contact with Rita Wilson, who has tested positive for coronavirus, in Sydney last week when she appeared on Today Extra.

Wilkins also met with Wilson, who is currently in isolation at Gold Coast University Hospital with husband Tom Hanks, during her show at the Sydney Opera House last weekend.

⁦@RitaWilson⁩ was so good at the ⁦⁦@sydneyoperahous⁩e last night ! She’s on ⁦@TheTodayShow⁩ Extra tomorrow pic.twitter.com/CMJk7eWaAZ

— Richard Wilkins (@RichardWilkins) March 8, 2020

Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Belinda Russell are both currently in self-isolation because they came in contact with Wilson on Monday at Channel 9.

Both hosts have tested negative for the coronavirus, a Channel 9 spokesman said.

Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Belinda Russell with Rita Wilson on Monday. Photo: @davidcampbell73

RELATED: Aussies ‘horrified’ by Tom Hanks’ latest coronavirus post

Earlier on Sunday, Today show weatherman Tim Davies announced he will be missing from the Channel 9 breakfast show for the next two weeks due to self-isolation.

Davies was on his way home to Australia after a holiday in Austria when Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Sunday afternoon that all passengers arriving in Australia have to self-isolate for 14 days in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Tim Davies will miss the next two weeks of the Today show.

The Channel 9 presenter posted a photo of himself on Instagram from a plane at Dubai International Airport with the caption: “So, I’m on one of the first international flights to land in Australia tomorrow where everyone on-board will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

“This is the right move by our government. Passengers don’t seem angry, panicked or confused by this move.

“My @thetodayshow family has been fantastic & I’ll be back on air after a bit of a ‘longer than expected’ break.”

Originally published as Richard Wilkins tests positive for coronavirus, Channel 9 confirms