'STAY HOME PEOPLE'
Idris Elba reveals he has coronavirus and is self-isolating
IDRIS Elba has tested positive for deadly coronavirus and has isolated himself - but insists he has no symptoms.
The Luther actor, 47, says he feels "ok" after confirming he has the deadly bug which has killed 55 people in Britain.
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On Twitter, he wrote: "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."
In his video post, which accompanied the statement, the Hollywood actor said his wife Sabrina, who was stood next to him, had not been tested for the bug.
He said he had come into contact with someone who had COVID-19 which prompted him to get checked.
Elba explained that he discovered last Friday that the person had tested positive and as a result quarantined himself and was tested "immediately".
The star, who has appeared in movies such as Beasts of No Nation and Avengers: Infinity War, said: "Now is the time to start thinking about social distancing and washing your hands - beyond that there are people out there who are not showing symptoms but can easily spread it."
HOLLYWOOD STAR HAS VIRUS
Last Wednesday, Elba and Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire were pictured together at a charity event in Wembley, London.
Since then, the Canadian leader’s spouse has tested positive for COVID-19 leading to speculation that the actor contracted the bug during their meeting.
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was also in the picture although it has not been confirmed whether he has been struck down by the virus.
Elba is not the first A-list actor to test positive for COVID-19.
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Double Oscar winner Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were both struck down with the virus while the Forrest Gump star was filming in Australia.
Back in Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson drastically ramped up the country's battleplan - shutting down mass gatherings and urging everyone to stop non-essential travel and contact with others.
Anyone who can should try and work from home if they can to limit their exposure to others, the PM added.
It comes as 55 Brits have been killed by the illness, with more than 1,500 cases across the country.
The number of cases could DOUBLE every five or six days if Britain didn't take "draconian" action now, he warned the country, in the most drastic action taken so far to tackle the disease.
"We are asking people to do something difficult and that will disrupt their lives," Boris admitted.
But he stressed that the most vulnerable were the focus of today's new measures.
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At a press conference this afternoon the PM said: "We need people to start working from home where they possibly can, and you should avoid clubs pubs, theatres and other such social venues."
The number of cases has spiralled faster than experts thought, prompting the Government to push ahead with measures quickly, he said.
"It looks as though we are approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve," he added.
And in a stark warning about the grave times ahead, he said: "I can't remember anything like it in my lifetime. I don't think there has really been anything like it in peacetime."
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