Idris Elba Tests Positive For Coronavirus: ‘Now Is The Time For Solidarity’

Idris Elba is the latest celebrity to come forward with a positive diagnosis for the novel coronavirus. As people around the world practice their social distancing amid the global spread of COVID-19, the actor took to Twitter on Monday (March 16) to talk candidly about his own diagnosis.


Despite not showing any indications, Elba says he went to get tested right after being "exposed to someone who'd also tested positive." His partner Sabrina, seen sitting alongside him in the video, hasn't however been tested, although Elba assures the public that they're both doing "OK" and quarantining themselves.


"Look, this is serious," he says. "Now's the time to really think about social distancing and washing your hands. Behind that, there really are people out there who aren’t showing indications and can with little effort spread it... We’ve told our families, who are very accommodating. We’ve told our colleagues. Transparency is probably the perfect thing for this right now."


The Cats star also urges each person to do their part in slowing the spread of COVID-19, the infection caused by the novel coronavirus — a droplet vector virus that's transmittable through coughing, sneezing, and any droplet from the human body. While older people and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk for serious cases, young and otherwise healthy people can also be carriers of the virus and transmit it to others. That's why it's critical to protect yourself and — most importantly — those around you by doing as Elba says: "Washing your hands and keeping your distance."


"We stay in a divided world now and we can all feel it," he says. Although right now is the time for solidarity and right now is the time for thinking about each other."


And right now is also the time to "stay positive," he adds. "And don't freak out."