Stars Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic: Tom Hanks, Orlando Bloom and More

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Stars Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic: Tom Hanks, Orlando Bloom and More

Close to home. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Orlando Bloom and Justin Trudeau are just a handful of the celebrities and public figures who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and soon after spread to the United States, with the first confirmed case making its way into the country in January 2020. Hollywood was not immune to the illness either. Many movie and TV sets shut down production in the wake of the global health crisis, and events — from concert tours to film festivals — were postponed or canceled as a result. In turn, stars began to feel the effects of coronavirus. Hanks and Wilson, who married in April 1988, were among the first famous faces to be diagnosed. “@ritawilson 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. Slight fevers too,” the Toy Story star explained via Instagram in March 2020. “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive.” [jwplayer NCvtADnI-zhNYySv2] Hanks noted that the pair were taking the necessary precautions. “Well, now. What to do next?” he wrote. “The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than one-day-at-a-time approach, no? We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves! Hanx!” Wilson, for her part, attempted to make light of the situation. “From here on out, the only Corona I want is from Mexico,” she tweeted. “And you drink it.” Hanks later shared a sweet selfie on Instagram to assure fans that he and the actress were recovering as best as possible. “@ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us,” he noted. “We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else. There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball.” Scroll to learn more about the stars who have been affected by coronavirus. [podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

Stars Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic: Tom Hanks, Orlando Bloom and More

Close to home. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Orlando Bloom and Justin Trudeau are just a handful of the celebrities and public figures who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and soon after spread to the United States, with the first confirmed case making its way into the country in January 2020. Hollywood was not immune to the illness either. Many movie and TV sets shut down production in the wake of the global health crisis, and events — from concert tours to film festivals — were postponed or canceled as a result. In turn, stars began to feel the effects of coronavirus. Hanks and Wilson, who married in April 1988, were among the first famous faces to be diagnosed. “@ritawilson 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. Slight fevers too,” the Toy Story star explained via Instagram in March 2020. “To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive.” [jwplayer NCvtADnI-zhNYySv2] Hanks noted that the pair were taking the necessary precautions. “Well, now. What to do next?” he wrote. “The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than one-day-at-a-time approach, no? We’ll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves! Hanx!” Wilson, for her part, attempted to make light of the situation. “From here on out, the only Corona I want is from Mexico,” she tweeted. “And you drink it.” Hanks later shared a sweet selfie on Instagram to assure fans that he and the actress were recovering as best as possible. “@ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us,” he noted. “We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else. There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball.” Scroll to learn more about the stars who have been affected by coronavirus. [podcast_block]

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Simu Liu

The Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings star urged his followers in January 2022 to get vaccinated, revealing that his family suffered two loses amid the pandemic. “I lost my grandparents to COVID last year. They were still waiting for their vaccines,” he tweeted. “I'm fortunate to have been double-vaccinated and boosted when I got COVID 2 weeks ago. Felt like a cold.”

Liu continued: “As a @UNICEFCanada ambassador I have seen the organization's efforts to deliver vaccines to underprivileged families around the world. It's a reminder of how lucky we are to be living in places where vaccine delivery and storage are not an issue. Please, PLEASE appreciate that.”

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Jamie Dornan

The Fifty Shades of Grey star lost his father to the virus in March 2021. He opened up about the “hardest” year of his life 10 months later, telling The Telegraph that his father was “a beacon of positivity — that is my overriding takeaway.”

“It’s a strange thing to end the year with all this positivity — with so much praise for Belfast and a lot of good talk about The Tourist,” he explained in a January 2022 interview. “Because on many levels it’s been the worst year of my life, and the hardest.”

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Duchess Kate

"Last week, The Duchess of Cambridge came into contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for COVID-19,” a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said in a statement in July 2021, revealing that the royal would temporarily step back from her duties. “Her Royal Highness is not experiencing any symptoms, but is following all relevant government guidelines and is self-isolating at home."

Kate was set to appear at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for a service of thanksgiving in honor of the U.K.’s public health service, NHS, with her husband, Prince William, days after meeting with Wimbledon tennis officials and taking in match at the annual sporting event.

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Maria Menounos

During an episode of her "Better Together" podcast, the entertainment reporter revealed that both her parents were battling COVID-19 in separate hospitals. At the same time, she learned that her mom's brain tumor was growing more severe. "I've kept focusing on what my desired outcome and not what my fear was, and that helped me a lot. I think as it has extended and I've become more and more tired, you know, fear creeps back in," Menounos said in December 2020, struggling to hold back tears. "It has been an incredible challenge."

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Ice-T and Coco Austin

The Ice Loves Coco alums were vocal about Austin’s father, Steve Austin, battling the novel coronavirus beginning in June. Coco’s two aunts also fought off the disease around the time her father had it. Months after Steve returned home from the ICU in August, Ice-T opened up about how severe his father-in-law’s battle had been.

“My father-in-law ‘Coco’s dad’ was a serious ‘No Masker.’ COVID hit him,” Ice-T tweeted in November 2020 alongside a photo of Steve wearing an oxygen mask. “Pneumonia in both lungs … 40 days in ICU close to death … Now he’s on Oxygen indefinitely. Ohhh he’s a Believer now … #COVIDisNotAGame.”

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Nico Santos

The Superstore star’s stepfather, Sonny, died from the coronavirus in March 2020. “He was a kind, caring man,” Santos wrote via Instagram, revealing that his mother, Tita, also tested positive for the disease. “Please continue to pray and send healing energy to my mom.”

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Daniel Dae Kim

The Hawaii Five-O alum announced in March 2020 that he tested positive for the coronavirus after flying home to Hawaii from New York City. After getting tested at a drive-thru clinic in Honolulu, the actor self-quarantined at home, away from his family, and is on the mend. “I was sick, I still am. Thankfully for me it wasn’t a matter of life or death,” he said in an Instagram video. “Hopefully I am on the other side of this.”

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Reba McEntire

The “Consider Me Gone” singer announced in March 2020 that her mother, Jacqueline McEntire, died at 93 following a battle with cancer. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Reba alum confirmed two days later that the funeral service would be delayed.

“After much thought and careful consideration among our family, we have decided to indefinitely postpone Mama’s funeral and burial at this time,” she tweeted on March 16. “We will continue to monitor the situation and let you know as soon as possible about future plans to celebrate her life.”

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Catelynn Baltierra

In March 2020, the Teen Mom star opened up about how the coronavirus has stopped her from being able to see her loved ones. “This is the sad truth of what’s going on in our country.... having to see my 88 year old great grandma and Novas great great grandma through her window,” she wrote via Instagram. “I understand it’s keeping them safe but I really wish to hug her one last time before she passes... 😭😩 @davidlowell.”

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Jana Kramer

The One Tree Hill alum revealed in March 2020 that she would be traveling to Canada with her family for a work commitment despite coronavirus concerns. She noted that they would be abroad for “almost a month,” but she later defended her decision after getting “hate.”

In the days that followed, she opened about feeling anxious due to the spreading virus. “As we follow guidelines and quarantine here in Canada my anxiety is through the roof but as I layed in bed last night literally having an anxiety attack I woke up this morning choosing not to go straight to the news but instead do what I can,” she wrote via Instagram on March 15. “Which is stay in, wash hands and protect the babies and let them have fun by building forts and playing together as a family! Fear is going to hurt more of us….or so my therapist says. Love all of you. Stay safe and wash those hands!!!!”

Kramer returned home on a private jet provided by Wayne Gretzky after production on her film was canceled.  

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Destin Daniel Cretton

The filmmaker, known for directing movies such as Just Mercy and The Glass Castle, revealed that he tested negative for the virus after being in contact with others who were exposed. “I decided to be tested for the Coronavirus. I was working in close proximity with some people who had potentially been exposed, and because [my wife Nikki Chapman] and I have a newborn at home, I wanted to be as safe as possible,” he wrote via Instagram in March 2020.

“During my weekend of isolation away from my family, I had a lot of time to ponder this interesting moment in history that our second child was born into, a time full of opinions and division, where scientific truths are debated and brushed off as political spins,” he continued. “But in the midst of this storm, while staring up at a spot on my hotel ceiling that I swear looked exactly like a bunny, I could see something really quite beautiful happening. People all around the world are beginning to realize how connected we are, how vulnerable we are, how much we need each other to survive. I am happy to say that my test came back negative, but I will continue to be even more careful in the days ahead.”

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Kevin Durant

The Brooklyn Nets player, 31, revealed in March 2020 that he was among four team members who had tested positive for coronavirus. "Everyone be careful. Take care of yourself and quarantine,” he said at the time. "We’re going to get through this."

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Rachel Matthews

The Frozen 2 voice actress announced via her Instagram Stories in March 2020 that she tested positive for COVID-19 and had been quarantined for a week. She also detailed the timeline of her symptoms, which included body aches, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and a mild fever. “Now is the time to be smart and responsible. Let’s take care of one another!!” she wrote.

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Kristofer Hivju

The Game of Thrones alum announced via Instagram in March 2020 that he had tested positive for coronavirus. “Greetings from Norway. Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, Corona virus,” he wrote. “My family and I are self-isolating at home for as long as it takes. We are in good health. I only have mild symptoms of a cold. There are people at higher risk for who this virus might be a devastating diagnosis, so I urge all of you to be extremely careful.”

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Idris Elba

The Cats star took to Twitter in March 2020 to reveal that he had tested positive for COVID-19, but wasn't showing any symptoms at that point in time. "Look, we live in a divided world right now. We can all feel it, it’s been bulls–t. But now is the time for solidarity. Now is the time for thinking about each other," he said in his video statement alongside his wife, Sabrina Dhowre Elba. "There’s so many people whose lives have been affected — from those who have lost people that they love, to people that don’t have it and have lost their livelihoods. This is real ... Stay positive and don’t freak out."

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Olga Kurylenko

The actress, who is known for appearing in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, revealed in March 2020 that she has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. “Locked up at home after having tested positive for Coronavirus,” the Oblivion star wrote via Instagram. “I’ve actually been ill for almost a week now. Fever and fatigue are my main symptoms. Take care of yourself and do take this seriously!” 

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Al Roker and Craig Melvin

Today cohosts Roker and Melvin are taking time off after a staffer on the third hour of the NBC morning show tested positive for COVID-19. Savannah Guthrie told viewers during a March 2020 episode, “We learned late last night a colleague on the third hour of Today tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. So, out of an abundance of caution, Craig and Al are taking the morning off so we can trace their contacts [and] see what’s going on with them.” 

Melvin, 40, for his part, retweeted a clip from the show, adding, “Feeling great this am. Thinking about our friend and colleague. Thinking about everyone grappling with this right now. I’ll be fine. So will we.” 

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Ali Fedotowsky

The former Bachelorette star revealed in March 2020 that she’s been tested for coronavirus. “I’ve had all the symptoms of the virus except for a fever,” she revealed in a series of Instagram Stories. “And I found a place, it’s Mend, it’s in Los Angeles, which is one of the only places that will do the test if you don’t have a fever. But it is still up to the doctor’s discretion of whether or not they think you actually need the test.” She added that she had an X-ray of her lungs a few days ago that revealed white spots, which could be a sign of infection. The TV personality was prescribed antibiotics and when she went back to the doctor on March 14, she wasn’t feeling better and was still was having trouble taking deep breaths without coughing and “it hurts.”

“So they decided that I needed to take the test,” she continued, adding that she waited in line for three hours to get her test done. “Some of you seem to think that because I was the Bachelorette 10 years, I got some special treatment. I assure you I did not.” Fedotowsky said that she and her family, including husband Kevin Manno and kids Molly, 3, and Riley, 1, have been self-quarantining at home but because her mother, Beth Johnson, who is in the at-risk group of 65 and older, is coming to stay with them for three months, she wanted to take extra precautions. “It is my responsibility to be smart and get tested and the doctor felt the same way,” she said. The former reality TV star ended her messages by asking her followers to “please take this seriously. Do not go out. Don’t go out to restaurants and bars, self-quarantine if you can. Social distance. Just please, please, please take this seriously and, of course, wash your hands.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo

The soccer player self-quarantined after learning that one of his teammates tested positive for the virus. “The world is going through a very difficult moment which demands the utmost care and attention from all of us,” he said in a statement shared via Twitter in March 2020. “I speak to you today not as a football player, but as a son, father, a human being concerned with the latest developments that is affecting the whole world. It is important we all follow the advice of WHO (World Health Organization) and the governing bodies on how we handle this current situation.”

Ronaldo continued: “Protecting human life must come above any other interests. I would like to send my thoughts to everyone who has lost someone close to them, my solidarity to those who are fighting the virus, like my teammate Daniele Rugani, and my continued support to the amazing health professionals putting their own lives at risk to help save others.”

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Orlando Bloom

The actor revealed in March 2020 that he intended to quarantine himself after the set for his show Carnival Row was shut down in the Czech Republic. “It’s farewell from us as we’re going home to be quarantined,” Bloom said in an Instagram Story video. “But we’re coming home to the States. … At least I’m coming home to the States because we want to get in before the quarantine. Big love everybody. Stay safe out there. Self-quarantine. It seems really crazy, actually, this whole [coronavirus] thing. But do the right thing by you and your family and stay safe. In a few weeks, we’ll beat this bad boy.”

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Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau

The wife of Canada’s Prime Minister tested positive for coronavirus, as confirmed by his office in a statement in March 2020. Justin was “in good health with no symptoms” but was placed “in isolation for a planned period of 14 days” as a “precautionary measure.” Sophie, meanwhile, said she was “experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus” during quarantine at home but would “be back on my feet soon.”

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Charles Barkley

The former basketball player announced in March 2020 that he self-quarantined after being tested for coronavirus. “I haven’t been feeling great and they didn’t want me to take any chances,” he explained on NBA on TNT, adding: “I’m really hoping it was just a bug.”

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Matthew Broderick

The actor’s sister Rev. Janet Broderick was placed in intensive care after testing positive for coronavirus. The church where she pastors confirmed in March 2020 that she contracted the illness after going to a conference in Kentucky. “I am through the worst of this and very very much on the mend,” Janet said in a statement on her church’s website.

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Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Hanks announced in March 2020 that he and Wilson tested positive for coronavirus. The couple were in Australia while the Oscar winner filmed the untitled Elvis Presley biopic.