Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson’s positive coronavirus diagnosis has forced Australian TV and radio networks into crisis mode.
The Hollywood couple tested positive on March 12 after meeting several celebrities on the east coast, and the virus has since spread across the media industry.
As a result, the country’s major broadcasters taking drastic steps to protect staff.
Spreading fast: This chilling graphic shows the spread of coronavirus through the Australian entertainment industry starting with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, who tested positive last week
WARNER BROS. MOVIE SET SHUT DOWN
The Gold Coast movie set for Tom’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic was shut down last week following his positive diagnosis.
The cast and crew of the Warner Bros. production, including director Baz Luhrmann, are self-isolating for 14 days.
Baz tweeted on Saturday: ‘Really must send a big thank you to the doctors and medical experts from Queensland Health.’
SHUT DOWN: The Gold Coast movie set for Tom’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic with Warner Bros was shut down last week following his diagnosis. Pictured: Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks
FIRST CONTACT
Rita Wilson performed at the Sydney Opera House on March 7, five days before her diagnosis.
She briefly met Weekend Today host Richard Wilkinson backstage at the concert. He later shared a photo of the pair to Instagram.
Richard tested positive for COVID-19 on March 15, despite having no symptoms.
FIRST CONTACTED: On March 7, Rita (left) met Richard Wilkins (right) backstage at the Sydney Opera House. Richard then tested positive for COVID-19 on March 15
CHANNEL NINE
Rita visited Channel Nine’s Willoughby headquarters on Monday, March 9. She was a guest on Today Extra and also performed live in the studio.
Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Belinda Russell went into self-isolation and were tested for coronavirus in the wake of Rita’s diagnosis.
Their results came back negative and they returned to work on Tuesday.
A Nine spokesperson said last week that the building was being cleaned thoroughly in all areas Rita had visited ‘as a precautionary measure’.
Tracy Grimshaw, 59, was also pulled from A Current Affair on Thursday after it was revealed Rita had used her dressing room during her visit.
Network bosses made the decision because Tracy had recently undergone surgery.
CHANNEL NINE: Today Extra’s David Campbell (left) and Belinda Russell (right) briefly went into self-isolation after meeting Rita Wilson on March 9. They have now tested negative
On Sunday, March 15, Richard Wilkins revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no symptoms.
In the eight days since meeting Rita at the Opera House, he could have potentially exposed dozens of colleagues to the virus.
On Monday, his Weekend Today co-host Rebecca Maddern went into self-isolation and was tested for coronavirus. She is still awaiting the results.
Rebecca has been temporarily replaced as a commentator on Australian Ninja Warrior by retired AFL star Shane Crawford.
CHANNEL NINE: Rebecca Maddern (pictured) is in self-isolation and awaiting test results after her Weekend Today co-host Richard Wilkins discovered his diagnosis
CHANNEL 10
Richard Wilkins fears he may have passed coronavirus onto son Christian last week.
Christian is the current front-runner on Dancing With The Stars alongside partner Lily Cornish, with the pair now in self-isolation awaiting their COVID-19 test results.
If Christian and Lily test positive, it is likely DWTS will be pulled from air this weekend as they would have likely passed it onto all of their co-stars.
CHANNEL 10: Richard may have passed COVID-19 onto son Christian Wilkins (right) and his Dancing With The Stars partner Lily Cornish (left) who are in self-isolation awaiting results
Meanwhile, Richard Wilkins also met with Angela Bishop on March 12.
Angela is now in self-isolation awaiting her own test results, and could have passed the deadly virus on to the entire Studio 10 team if she has it.
Staff from Channel 10’s Pyrmont offices are now working from home.
CHANNEL 10: Studio 10’s Angela Bishop is in self-isolation awaiting her own test results after coming into contact with Richard last week. Pictured: Richard with Angela and Fitzy and Wippa
SEVEN NETWORK
Lily Cornish’s mother is Jo Palmer, the former host of Nightly News on 7 Tasmania.
Although she recently stepped down from the show after 18 years, it is unclear if she is still in contact with members of staff at Seven, or has been with Lily lately.
THE HIT NETWORK
The Hit Network’s Hughesy & Ed is broadcasting from home this week.
Their decision was based on the fact Ed Kavalee had shared a dressing room with Christian Wilkins on Dancing with the Stars over the weekend.
Ed could have passed the virus on to co-host Dave Hughes.
HIT NETWORK: The Hit Network’s Hughesy & Ed is broadcasting from home this week after Ed Kavalee shared a dressing room with Christian Wilkins on DWTS. Pictured Dave Hughes and Ed
NOVA FM
Richard Wilkins is feared to have spread coronavirus around Nova’s Sydney studios.
He appeared on a podcast with Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli on March 12, with the duo pulled from the airwaves on Monday to get tested.
Fitzy and Wippa are now in self-isolation awaiting their test results.
AUSTRALIAN RADIO NETWORK (ARN)
Kylie Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson are now broadcasting from home.
The pair came into contact with Christian Wilkins last week, and are now in self-isolation while waiting to find out if the DWTS contestant has the virus.
Jackie joked during Monday’s show that she believes she may have COVID-19.
Similarly, Amanda Keller, who hosts DWTS and has a show on WSFM, is self-isolating at home and awaiting Christian’s results after coming into contact with him.
KIIS FM: Kylie Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson are self-isolating and awaiting Christian Wilkins’ test results, after interviewing him last week. Pictured: Christian and Jackie O