Idris Elba has been forced to deny he was in ‘critical condition’ when a fan shared a hoax video with him for clarification.
The actor, 47, confirmed he had been tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, and took to Twitter on Friday to answer questions from his followers about his condition.
In one tweet, a fan said ‘someone posted a YouTube video of you saying you are in a critical condition for the covid-19 virus.. please debunk this fake rumor.’
Clarification: Idris Elba was forced to deny he was in ‘critical condition’ after hoax video claims on Friday… as star revealed he still hasn’t shown symptoms for coronavirus
Denying what was claimed in the video, Idris responded: ‘This is fake. I’m fine for now. Thanks for showing me.’
He also vehemently said it was ‘not true’ that he was in an intensive care unit, when a separate follower said they had seen a hoax claiming that to be the case.
Idris went on to answer another query, as he responded to a since deleted tweet to admit that he ‘still hasn’t shown symptoms’ for coronavirus, and added that he ‘is thankful for that.’
Not true: In one tweet, a fan said ‘someone posted a YouTube video of you saying you are in a critical condition for the covid-19 virus’ which he said was ‘fake’
Denial: Idris also vehemently said it was ‘not true’ that he was in an intensive care unit, when a separate follower said they had seen a hoax claiming that to be the case
Announcement: The actor, 47, confirmed he had been tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday
Another fan asked Idris: ‘How many days were you ‘poorly’ Idris?’
To which The Wire star responded: ‘I really didn’t have poorly days… I had a headache and body aches on the day I tested but that’s been it.’
It comes after the Luther star spoke out against critics who suggested his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba should not have been by his side when he announced he has tested positive for coronavirus.
UK Government guidelines advise those who have tested positive should ideally self quarantine in their home, away from other family members who have not been diagnosed.
Candid: Idris went on to answer another query, as he responded to a since deleted tweet to admit that he ‘still hasn’t shown symptoms’ for coronavirus
No symptoms: Of how he felt when he was first tested for coronavirus, Idris said: ‘I really didn’t have poorly days… I had a headache and body aches on the day I tested but that’s been it’
Idris’ tweets come after he took part in a Twitter Live video on Tuesday evening to give his fans an update, 24 hours on from his diagnosis.
The actor reassured fans he is feeling well, explaining: ‘Yesterday was good and bad. Bad because I tested positive, but it was also good because it opened up a lot of conversation around it.’
‘I think it made it a lot more real for some people. Definitely made it more real for me and my family.’
‘There was so many positive responses to, you know, me talking about it. Some negative too. But there were some definite positive ones. I certainly felt…my wife and I felt like it was the right thing to do, to share it with you guys,’ he added.
Married: Idris defended himself against criticism after his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba was seen by his side when he announced he has tested positive for coronavirus
‘He went on to address the ‘negative’ comments he had received about choosing to be with Sabrina, explaining the couple, who married in 2019, had ‘calculated the risk.’
He also explained Sabrina has now been tested. ‘Sabrina’s good too. Sabrina today finally managed to get a test, and we’re thankful for that. Generally, Sabrina’s fine. Nervous of course. Worried. Just for clarification, Sabrina wanted to be by my side.’
‘As much as we talked about her not coming to where I am, she did and wanted to and I love her even more for it and I would do the same for her.’
‘As much as I wanted her to keep safe, we presumed if I had it, the likelihood she would have it too, we calculated that risk,’ he went on.
Message: The British actor urged his followers to spread love and advised families to follow guidelines but do what works best for them
‘When something like this is going on in the world, love is all you can get, who am I to turn down my wife’s support?’
The British actor urged his followers to spread love and advised families to follow guidelines but do what works best for them.
Idris appeared to confirm he had contracted the virus from Sophie, after the two met shortly before they both tested positive for COVID-19.
The actor revealed he was exposed to the deadly disease on 4 March, the same day he posed with Sophie at the We Day UK charity event, in Wembley.
Exposed: Elsewhere in Tuesday night’s video Idris appeared to confirm he had contracted the virus from Sophie, 44, after the two met shortly before they both tested positive
Idris said: ‘It’s hard to say when I got the disease or when I contracted COVID-19, it’s hard to say when. I will say that I know I’ve been exposed to it from March 4.
‘That’s when the person that came up positive, that was the time I got in contact with that person.
‘So essentially, I could have been positive from March 4, but it’s hard to say when I contracted someone with corona, you can contract it at anytime but my known exposure was March 4.’
Posing for photos together at the event, the pair were in close proximity to each other, as well as other celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton, and attendees.
The actor also added in the video: ‘On Friday, last week, I was told that someone I had been in contact with had tested positive.
Interaction: Idris revealed that he was exposed to the deadly disease on 4 March, the same day he posed with Sophie at the We Day UK charity event (pictured)
‘I am on location about to start filming. The news breaks that this person, who is also in the public eye, has tested positive.’
Idris then addressed backlash as to why he was tested for COVID-19 after he had ‘no symptoms’ and ‘felt ok’.
Although the star admitted he is worried as he suffers from asthma, he added: ‘I have asthma, so I sort of fit into the high category of most at risk.
‘I have a respiratory issue and I have had asthma all my life. Catching corona was definitely not on my bucket list at all but even my asthma is OK.
‘Of course I’m worried. I’m worried about having the virus, I’m worried about having asthma and how that could make things really complicated for me really quickly.’
He reassured his followers that at present he is feeling fine, explaining: ‘Right now though, I am feeling okay. Woke up this morning, didn’t have any symptoms. My voice is a little tired…checking my fever twice a day. Feel good, feel okay. Been doing a lot of reading about it. You know, asymptomatic is what comes up,’ Idris explained about his status.
Idris revealed he was inspired to share his coronavirus story after fellow actor Tom Hanks also shared that he tested positive for COVID-19.
Inspired: Idris revealed he was inspired to share his story after actor Tom Hanks also shared that he tested positive for COVID-19 (pictured with wife Rita)