Kristofer Hivju has revealed he’s tested positive for coronavirus, with the Game Of Thrones and Witcher star sharing an update on Monday.
The Tormund Giantsbane actor shared a lengthy statement to Instagram in which he explained he was self-isolating at home in Norway.
Sharing a selfie, he wrote: ‘Greetings from Norway! Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, Corona virus. My familiy 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. [sic].’
Encouraging the public to remain safe and keep practicing good hygiene to help stop the spread of the virus, the 41-year-old continued: ‘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; wash your hands, keep 1,5 meters distance from others, go in quarantine; just do everything you can to stop the virus from spreading.’
He concluded his Instagram post by encouraging his followers to visit their country’s disease controls website and follow all the regulations to stay safe.
His GOT co-star John Bradley, who plays Samwell Tarley was one of the first to share their well wishes for a speedy recovery.
Posting in the the replies, he wrote: ‘Oh mate. Sending my love to you all. Get well.’
It comes only a couple of hours after Idris Elba confirmed he was also tested positive for the virus today after coming into contact with someone who had it.
He appeared in a video with his wife Sabrina this afternoon, who he explained hasn’t been tested, and that neither of them are showing symptoms.
Idris, 47, tweeted: ‘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.’
The Thor star explained in a video his diagnosis ‘sucks’.
‘I got tested because I realised I was exposed to someone who had also tested positive,’ he explained. ‘I found out last Friday that they were tested positive. I quarantined myself and got a test immediately and got the results back today.’
Idris continued: ‘This is serious. Now is the time to think 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 a real time to be really vigilant about washing your hands and keeping your distance, okay.’
Having told his family and colleagues, Idris insisted transparency was the best thing, as he urged his followers to do something if they feel ill or think they’ve been exposed to the virus.
He said: ‘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. ‘
Idris concluded: ‘There’s so many people whose lives have been affected, there’s people who have lost someone that they love, to people that don’t even have it that have lost their livelihoods. This is real.
‘I just wanted to share my news with you guys and I will keep you updated as to how I’m doing, but so far we’re feeling okay. Alright man, stay positive and don’t freak out.’
Other celebrities to have tested positive include actors Tom Hanks and Olga Kurylenko.
Meanwhile Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Arnold Schwarzenegger have urged others to stay indoors to help slow the spread of the virus.
What does self-isolation mean?
Self-isolation means staying indoors and avoiding all contact with other people for 14 days, according to the NHS.
It means no going to work, school, the shops or even to the park for some fresh air, in order to minimise the risk of passing on Covid-19.
Public transport and taxis are a no-no and you shouldn’t have visitors over, even if you just stay at home.
Anyone in self-isolation is advised to ask friends, family and delivery drivers to pick things up for you and drop them-off. You should put a sign outside telling people you are self-isolating and everything should be left on the floor outside your front door to avoid the risk of further infections.
Those who are self-isolating are still advised to stay away from their pets as much as possible and to wash their hands before and after touching them.
If you live in a house share and have to self-isolate, the advice is to stay in your room with the door closed and only emerge to use communal kitchens, bathrooms and living areas if absolutely necessary.
Who should self-isolate?
The government advises anyone returning from Category 1 areas (Hubei, Iran, Italy and Daegu or Cheongdo in South Korea), to go straight home and self-isolate, even if they don’t display any symptoms.
Travellers should use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next.
Anyone returning from Category 2 areas should self-isolate and call 111 if they have Covid-19 symptoms. You can find the list of those places here.
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