Actor Idris Elba, 'GoT' star Kristofer Hivju test positive for COVID-19

Now’s really the time to think about social distancing, Elba said in a video

idris-collage Idris Elba | Reuters; Kristofer Hivju | Instagram/@khivju

British actor Idris Elba has revealed he tested positive for coronavirus. The actor tweeted on Monday that he has no symptoms so far and has been isolated since Friday when he found out about his possible exposure.

Elba is the latest celebrity, after actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson, to have tested positive for the virus. In the video he said that his wife Sabrina was doing OK, but she hasn't been tested.

“This is serious. Now’s really the time to think about social distancing, washing your hands,” Elba said. He added that there are people out there who are not showing symptoms, but it can easily spread. “We live in a divided world right now. We can all feel it,” he added. “But now’s the time for solidarity, for thinking about each other.”

Game of Thrones star Kristofer Hivju also revealed that he tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Norwegian actor, who played Tormund Giantsbane in HBO's epic fantasy series, took to Instagram on Monday to share his diagnosis.

Though in "good health", Hivju said, he and his family were in self-isolation.

"Greetings from Norway! Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, Corona virus. 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," he wrote.

The actor appealed to people to be "extremely careful" and wash hands. "... wash your hands, keep 1,5 meters distance from others, go in quarantine; just do everything you can to stop the virus from spreading. Together we can fight this virus and avert a crisis at our hospitals," he said.

Hivju, 41, also urged fans and followers to follow the regulations for "staying safe and protecting not just yourselves, but our entire community, and especially those at risk like the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions".

The number of deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic worldwide has passed 7,000, with more than 175,530 cases in 145 countries.

-with PTI inputs

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