Idris Elba has been praised by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation for his ‘brave and powerful message’ after confirming he has coronavirus.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 55, took to Twitter on Tuesday to commend the actor, 47, for speaking about COVID-19, telling him to ‘take care and stay strong’.
Idris revealed on Monday he had been tested positive for coronavirus and that he and his wife Sabrina Dhowre, 29, have gone into self isolation.
Brave: The Director General of the World Health Organisation has praised Idris Elba after the actor and his wife Sabrina posted a ‘powerful message’ confirming he has coronavirus
Dr Tedros wrote: ‘Take care and stay strong, @idriselba! I admire your brave and powerful message to the world. We’re all in this together. Solidarity will beat the #coronavirus. #COVID19.’
Idris said in his video message he ‘feels ok’ and has no symptoms but has decided to self-isolate following his exposure to COVID-19.
The Luther star had attended the WE Day UK Charity event and concert in London last Tuesday March 3 with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Inspiring: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 55, took to Twitter on Tuesday to commend Idris’ for his bravery for speaking about COVID-19 (pictured last month)
Stay strong: Dr Tedros wrote: ‘Take care and stay strong, @idriselba! I admire your brave and powerful message to the world. We’re all in this together. Solidarity will beat the #coronavirus’
Isolating: Idris revealed he has tested positive for the coronavirus via Twitter on Monday
She announced she tested positive for the virus last week and gone into self quarantine.
Idris shared the video with the caption: ‘This morning I tested positive for Covid 19.
‘I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus.
‘Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing. No panic.’
Isolating: ‘Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing. No panic,’ Idris said
Event: Idris attended the WE Day UK in London last Tuesday with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, spouse of the Canadian Prime Minister, and Lewis Hamilton. She has also tested positive
Idris confirmed wife Sabrina had not yet been tested but said that she also ‘feels ok’ at the moment.
The Luther star addedhe only got tested after coming into contact with someone who later confirmed that they had coronavirus, before quarantining himself and getting tested ‘immediately’.
He received the news of his results this morning.
Keep calm: The Luther star added he only got tested after coming into contact with someone who later confirmed that they had coronavirus
Reassured: The pair have also told their families and colleagues. Idris finished the clip by saying ‘stay positive and don’t freak out’ (pictured in December 2019)
‘Look, this is serious,’ he continued. ‘Now is the time to start thinking about social distancing, washing your hands. Beyond that there are people out there who aren’t showing symptoms, and that can easily spread it.
‘So now is the time to be really vigilant about washing your hands, and keeping your distance.’
The pair have also told their families and colleagues. Idris finished the clip by saying ‘stay positive and don’t freak out’.
Take action: ‘Look, this is serious,’ he continued. ‘Now is the time to start thinking about social distancing, washing your hands’
Fans were quick to share their best wishes with the star, praising him for using his platform to encourage people to take more precautions.
Actress Ava DuVernay wrote: ‘Thank you, @idriselba, for using your platform to educate and inform. No symptoms, but positive.’
But others were quick to point out that his wife Sabrina should have separated herself, as she had not yet been tested for the virus.
Another follower commented: ‘If you are positive, and Sabrina has not been tested then why are you anywhere near her?’
The news comes a week after Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for the novel coronavirus during a holiday to the Gold Coast in Australia.
The Forrest Gump actor and his wife, both 63, announced the positive test results on Instagram urging the public to ‘take care’.
Hanks revealed they had experienced symptoms including the common cold, body aches and chills before they decided to get tested.
Taken ill: The news comes a week after Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for the novel coronavirus during a holiday to the Gold Coast in Australia
Before their diagnosis, the couple had visited crowded Australian hotspots including Bondi Beach and the Sydney Opera House – raising fears that others were infected.
The opera house have been trying to track down 207 people who could have come into contact with the couple at a concert on Saturday night.
And on Sunday night, former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko announced she had tested positive for the now-widespread virus.
Star fever: Bond girl Olga Kurylenko – who starred opposite Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace (pictured 2008) – has tested positive for coronavirus
The 40-year-old, who played Camille Montes in 2008’s Quantum of Solace, said she was diagnosed after feeling ‘ill for almost a week’ with fever and fatigue.
She is now facing days in isolation and posted a picture of her locked window on Instagram last night as she revealed she was ‘locked up at home’.
The Soviet-born actress added: ‘Fever and fatigue are my main symptoms. Take care of yourself and do take this seriously!’
Taken ill: The actress (pictured in a photo she shared with her social media followers) said she was taking paracetamol and eating garlic
Under the weather: The 40-year-old, who played Camille Montes in 2008’s Quantum of Solace, said she was diagnosed after feeling ‘ill for almost a week’ with fever and fatigue