Celebs Who Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus

While pandemic threats are nothing new in human history, the coronavirus pandemic that popped up globally in 2019 and 2020 caught plenty of folks by surprise. Items like toilet paper, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer flew off of grocery store shelves, as reported by NPR, as people rushed out to prepare for possible quarantine in their homes. And, of course, we all learned how to properly wash our hands, practice social distancing, and ensure that our hygiene habits protect vulnerable populations.

It didn't take long for the world to learn that even celebrities aren't immune to coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as several high-profile actors, athletes, and politicians tested positive for the virus and have largely taken steps to protect others from receiving a similar diagnosis. To that end, here's a list of all of the famous people who have confirmed cases of coronavirus. We hope everyone makes a full and speedy recovery! 

Unfortunately, Rudy Gobert wasn't the only NBA player to come down with coronavirus, as Utah Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell also tested positive for the disease. And while he said he had to "cool off" after learning he had contracted the coronavirus from Gobert, Mitchell maintained a healthy perspective, as shared in an interview with Today, which took place via video chat. He noted he was "happy" that he and Gobert were the only two on their team to be diagnosed. "Neither him or I have children at home," he explained. "I know I have some teammates who have children, I have some staff who have children at home."

While Mitchell did have to enter isolation so as not to infect anyone else, he hasn't shown any symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of this writing. Mitchell even said he'd be ready to lace up and play a game at any time — for real! "I'm fine," he continued in his Today interview. "Things are going well, just in isolation. ... No fever, no symptoms. Blessed to be able to be okay."

Just as COVID-19 is an issue in the United States, it's also been spreading throughout the land down under, according to the Australian government. That's where actor Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, were when they started feeling ill, according to a post on his Instagram page. "To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the [coronavirus], and were found to be positive," he wrote in the caption. After that, the couple went into isolation.

Interestingly enough, a post that Hanks made shortly thereafter sparked controversy, though not because of any coronavirus concerns. Hanks told his followers on Instagram to thank "the Helpers," in an apparent nod to the late Fred Rogers, accompanied by a snap of toast slathered in Vegemite — an Australian culinary staple. But Australians were flummoxed by the amount of the condiment he had spread on his toast, according to People magazine, and admonished him for his mistake. "Life is like a tube of Vegemite. Don't try it all at once," tweeted journalist Sally Sara. Fair enough!

Beloved British actor Idris Elba broke the hearts of his many fans when he took to Twitter to share a fraught announcement on March 16, 2020: He'd 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," he wrote in the caption. He encouraged people to "stay home" and "be pragmatic," noting that he'd keep his followers informed about his health.

Elba also shared a video in the tweet, in which he discussed the details of his diagnosis. He implored his followers to take the situation seriously, with his wife, Sabrina, by his side, who later tested positive for COVID-19. "Now is the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands," he said. Elba also urged his fans to forget their partisan differences and come together to take care of each other.

Players on the Utah Jazz aren't the only NBA stars who have tested positive for the coronavirus, as four members of the Brooklyn Nets have also been diagnosed with COVID-19. One of those players is former Warriors baller Kevin Durant, who broke the news to The Athletic on March 17, 2020. The news came on the heels of the NBA suspending the remainder of its 2020 season until further notice (via ESPN).

Fortunately Durant said that he hasn't experienced any symptoms at the time of this writing and that he is, in fact, feeling fine. "Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine," he said. "We're going to get through this." That's all the more reason to keep calm, wash your hands, and refrain from touching your face.

The Athletic noted that only one of the four Nets players who tested positive is showing any symptoms.

When popular fashion influencer Arielle Charnas of Something Navy started feeling super ill, she took to social media to share her anxieties about it. "It's been 4 days since I started feeling incredibly sick," she wrote in a post on her Instagram page. She added, "I'm so happy my fever is gone but the body pain that I'm feeling today is unlike anything else." 

Shortly thereafter, Charnas revealed in another Instagram post that she had indeed been diagnosed with coronavirus, and she admonished the government to do something about the pandemic. "It is the responsibility of our government offices to ensure all Americans can access necessary tests," she noted in the post. "I acknowledge how lucky I am to have had that access."

Charnas also said that her husband had been feeling unwell, but noted that her children had not been showing any symptoms of coronavirus.

Actor Daniel Dae Kim was filming on location in New York City when news of the coronavirus began to spread, subsequently shutting down many sets, including his. Ironically, he was playing a doctor responding to a flu outbreak in New Amsterdam, which he mentioned in a lengthy video on his Instagram page. 

Feeling healthy and well, Kim decided to head home to Hawaii where he lives to be with his family, but before his flight landed he started feeling slightly ill. Upon landing, he immediately went to his home and self-isolated and, at the recommendation of his doctor, got tested for the novel coronavirus. Unfortunately, the test came back positive. Thankfully, though, with rest and proper treatment, Kim revealed he's feeling much better.

While Kim had a lot to say in his recording, he had an especially important request in addition to observing proper hygiene. "Please stop the prejudiced and senseless violence against Asian people," he begged. "Randomly beating elderly, sometimes homeless Asian-Americans is cowardly, heartbreaking, and it's inexcusable."

The Detroit Pistons became the third team in the NBA to have players come down with coronavirus, in addition to the Utah Jazz and the Brooklyn Nets, in mid-March 2020. Specifically, power forward Christian Wood tested positive for COVID-19, after playing games against the Utah Jazz a week prior, a writer and analyst for The Athletic revealed in a tweet. "A preliminary positive result came back on March 14," the Pistons said in a statement. "The health and safety of our players, our organization, those throughout our league, and all those potentially impacted by this situation is paramount."

Fortunately, Wood received care from the NBA's medical staff and is reportedly feeling fine. The player also self-isolated, and took to Instagram to spread an uplifting message in light of the diagnosis going public. "The darkest Nights produce the brightest Stars," he wrote in the caption.

Back in February of 2020, actress Debi Mazar said she and her entire family, which includes herself, her husband, and their two teenage daughters, came down with an illness that had them down for the count. But it was two weeks after that when Mazar really got concerned. She woke up with a fever and body aches, in addition to other symptoms. "I called a doctor/friend to ask if I could get the COVID-19 test on [March 16]," she shared in post on her Instagram page. "He said no, I didn't meet the criteria."

That didn't quite sit well with Mazar so when a friend told her she could be tested at a local urgent care facility, she jumped on the chance. Sure enough, she tested positive for coronavirus. "I'm hoping I've been through the worst of it already," she continued. "Today my lungs are heavy, but I'm tough." Mazar added that she's in self-quarantine as is her family, though they are not showing any symptoms.

NFL coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints became infected with COVID-19, according to a post he made on social media. "I'm feeling better and fortunate to not have any of the respiratory symptoms," he wrote in a tweet. This was after he self-quarantined at home and got tested, on the heels of feeling fatigued and unwell.

Payton also warned people that social distancing isn't enough in and of itself to stop the virus from spreading, either. "It's shutting down here for a week to two weeks," he explained in an interview with ESPN. "If people understand the curve, and understand the bump, we can easily work together as a country to reduce it."

New Orleans is a region that's been particularly susceptible to coronavirus because of the Mardi Gras season. "This is an area that doctors are concerned about," he added.

While COVID-19 tends to be more dangerous for vulnerable populations like the elderly or individuals with pre-existing conditions, according to the World Health Organization, young and otherwise healthy people can still contract coronavirus.

That was the case for former Bachelor star Colton Underwood, who took to Instagram with some pretty candid details about his coronavirus diagnosis. "It's been kicking my a**, just to put it very bluntly," he revealed in the accompanying video. "The main thing is I can't even walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath or go to the bathroom without having to sit down because I'm exhausted." Underwood said he doesn't want to cause anyone to panic, but instead wants people to stay home. 

Underwood further revealed that he began social distancing prior to receiving his diagnosis. He is is hunkered down with girlfriend Cassie Randolph and her family in Huntington Beach, California, so as he said, they're all in it together.

Just as concerts were cancelled in March of 2020, so too were opera and symphony performances, according to Opera Wire. Yet and still, opera legend Placido Domingo couldn't escape COVID-19. He and his family self-quarantined after the star tested positive for it late in the month. "Currently we are all in good health but I experienced fever and cough symptoms," he wrote in a post on his Facebook page. "Therefore [I decided] to get tested and the result came back positive."

Despite his diagnosis, Domingo erred on the side of optimism, advising his followers to wash their hands and practice social distancing. He also told people to stay home if they are able to beat back the spread of coronavirus. "Together we can fight this virus and stop the current worldwide crisis, so we can hopefully return to our normal daily lives very soon," he added.

When singer-songwriter Jackson Browne started to feel ill in March of 2020, he didn't waste time — he got himself tested for COVID-19 immediately and learned that he did indeed have the virus. "I'm presuming I got this flying back and forth to New York to do [the] Love Rocks show at the Beacon," he explained in an interview with Rolling Stone. "And now it turns out that several people who were at that show have tested positive."

While Browne's symptoms were mild, he still followed the recommended protocol and quarantined himself in his Los Angeles residence right away. Additionally, in retrospect, Brown said he would have gone about things differently. "Now, I wish I hadn't gone to New York and done this benefit," he continued.

Browne also stressed the importance of taking the coronavirus pandemic seriously, especially to young people, who can spread the virus without showing any symptoms.

You don't have to take a cross-country flight or have an extensive social calendar to wind up with a coronavirus diagnosis. That certainly was the case for rapper Slim Thug, who did everything he could to avoid COVID-19 to no avail. "As careful as I've been self-quarantining, staying home ... stayed in my truck, had masks, gloves, everything on, and my test came back positive," he said in a video on his Instagram page. "So y'all gotta take this stuff seriously." He said that perhaps he was exposed when he went out to get something to eat, which is a possibility.

On a positive note, Slim Thug said that his health has improved, though it was never severely compromised by the virus to begin with. "I'm good, I feel good, I don't got no problems right now," he continued. "The other day I had a slight fever and a cough, [but] I feel better now."

Even those in the highest levels of government aren't impervious to COVID-19, as Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, revealed in a tweet that he tested positive for the virus himself. However, Johnson doesn't seem to be too stressed out about his diagnosis, instead confident that both he and his country will be okay. "Be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all of my top team to lead the national fight back against coronavirus," he shared in the accompanying video.

Additionally, Johnson had kind words for the people on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in England. "I want to thank everybody who's working to keep our country going through this epidemic," he continued. "We will get through it." Johnson also stressed the importance of adhering to protective measures, like staying at home, in order to protect healthcare workers. 

Johnson was later hospitalized as a "precautionary step," according to the BBC.

On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Cascada singer Natalie Horler took to social media to share some unfortunate news with her fans: She'd tested positive for COVID-19. But fortunately, she said her symptoms were fairly mild and that she was hanging in there. "All in all, I'm okay," she shared in a post on her Instagram page. "They said they think I'll probably have quite a mild development of it." Phew!

Although Horler had been self-isolating for quite some time before she got sick, she planned to step up her efforts even more in light of her diagnosis. "No more random supermarket visits, no matter how careful," she continued. "No wore walks, I'm just literally gonna get fresh air on the terrace, and that's gonna be it."

Horler returned to Instagram a few days later to say she was feeling better, and she doesn't anticipate that she'll take "a turn for the worse." She added that not being able to taste or smell anything was strange, too, as she usually enjoys eating.

The world of acting lost one of its own on March 26, 2020, when veteran actor Mark Blum passed away from complications of COVID-19. He was remembered by Rebecca Damon, the executive vice president and New York president of SAG-AFTRA, in a tweet. "Those of us lucky enough to have known him will treasure our memories of a gifted actor, a master teacher, a loyal friend, and a beautiful human," she penned in the caption.

Damon also said that Blum would be remembered for his sense of humor, intelligence, and keen perception of complicated situations. "He always spoke the truth and did a great service in informing members of our community about the ins and outs of the union whenever he had the opportunity," she added.

Blum was best known for his roles in films like Desperately Seeking Susan and Crocodile Dundee, according to CNN. He was also a regular in the New York City theater scene.

If you're someone who pays attention to the news on a regular basis, you probably noticed that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been praised for his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, his popularity is the highest it's been in seven years, according to NBC News.

However, that popularity couldn't protect the politician's brother Chris Cuomo from COVID-19, as he tested positive for the virus at the end of March 2020. "I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive," he revealed in a tweet. "I had fever, chills and shortness of breath."

While Chris certainly wasn't feeling well, there was one prospect that had the potential to make him feel even worse. "I just hope I didn't give it to the kids and Cristina," he continued. "That would make me feel worse than this illness!" He added that he was quarantined in the basement of his home, where he's continued working.

Coming down with COVID-19 is bad enough in and of itself, but, for comedian Michael Yo, things were even worse. He was hospitalized for eight days with both coronavirus and pneumonia at the same time. "You know if you're watching the news that's the deadly combo right there," he explained in a post on his Instagram page. "Man, it was scary."

Yo went on to share the harrowing details of his experience while hospitalized, including the fact that he couldn't have any family members visit him lest he get them sick. But he also gave his profound thanks to the healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic, who he said are sacrificing themselves to help others.

Fortunately Yo was able to make it through to the other side, and is back at home in self-quarantine. "I appreciate all the love, the prayers, man," he continued. "It meant a lot."

While people over the age of 65 are more vulnerable to coronavirus than younger folks, according to the CDC, you can be any age and still get quite sick if you come down with the illness. That was the case for soap opera star Greg Rikaart, who tested positive for COVID-19 in March of 2020. "I am a pretty healthy 43-year-old who doesn't smoke, doesn't drink much, eats well and exercises regularly and this has been the hardest experience of my life," the Young and the Restless actor revealed in an Instagram post on March 23, 2020.

Rikaart went on to describe the symptoms he experienced, which included an 11-day fever, trouble breathing, and a pneumonia diagnosis. Fortunately he was able to put up a pretty good fight, and he said he's improving every day. "I'm confident that I have finally turned the proverbial corner and am fever free today for the first time since this all started," he noted.

In April of 2020, singer and acrobat extraordinaire Pink tested positive for COVID-19, along with son Jameson, after they both showed symptoms. But rather than gripe too much about her predicament, Pink said she was lucky that she had access to a test, something that's been a huge problem in the United States. "It is an absolute travesty and failure of our government to not make testing more widely accessible," she wrote in a post on her Instagram page. "This illness is serious and real." Pink revealed that two weeks after her and her son's positive diagnoses, they tested negative for the virus.

Additionally, Pink decided to put her money where her mouth is, and she announced that she'd ponied up some cash to fight the coronavirus pandemic. "In an effort to support the healthcare professionals who are battling on the frontlines every day, I am donating $500,000 to the Temple University Hospital Emergency Fund in Philadelphia in honor of my mother, Judy Moore, who worked there for 18 years..." she continued. She also shared that she'd be donating $500,000 to the Los Angeles Mayor's Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund. Thanks, Pink!

Although she'd been keeping her distance at her home in London, Marianne Faithfull still came down with a cold. To that end, in order to take sensible precautions, the iconic singer checked herself into the hospital to get herself tested for COVID-19 — and received a positive diagnosis. "She is stable and responding to treatment," the singer's representatives told Rolling Stone. "We all wish her well and a full and speedy recovery."

In addition to being diagnosed with COVID-19, Faithfull also developed pneumonia, which is a complication of the virus, as noted by Mayo Clinic. Furthermore, because Faithfull is over the age of 65, she's especially vulnerable to complications of coronavirus, according to the CDC. It's a good thing Faithfull — who has battled a number of health issues throughout her life, including hepatitis C, breast cancer, anorexia, and substance abuse – got to the hospital right away!

While COVID-19 may be all that folks are talking about and the first thing that's mentioned when you turn on the news, the virus has also impacted the people who bring us the news. Namely, CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin, who tested positive for coronavirus. The diagnosis took her off the air and sent her into bed. "It came on suddenly yesterday afternoon," she explained in an Instagram post. "Chills, aches, fever."

It's not as though Baldwin was engaging in risky behaviors, either — far from it. "I've been social distancing," she continued. "Doing ALL the things we're being told to do. Still — it got me." She added, however, that she's okay, and that she considers herself "one of the lucky ones."

Baldwin ended the post by tipping her hat to the doctors and nurses who are putting in the work to manage the coronavirus pandemic. 

On April 4, 2020, the world learned that actor Jay Benedict had succumbed to coronavirus, via a tweet from his management team. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear client Jay Benedict, who this afternoon lost his battle with COVID-19," they wrote. Benedict was known for his work in films such as The Dark Knight Rises and Aliens, as well as the television program Emmerdale. He would have celebrated his 69th birthday on April 11, 2020.

Benedict was remembered fondly by several celebrities on social media, including actor Pierce Brosnan. "He was a courageous man of handsome life force, that shone its light in every room he walked into, down every road he traveled," he penned in a post on his Instagram page. "He shared his joyful radiance of kinship with all who knew him." Brosnan also praised Benedict's acting abilities and sent his condolences to his family.

When Real Housewife Jennifer Aydin started feeling under the weather, she had her husband pick up a test for the coronavirus, even though she didn't have a fever. But sure enough, she tested positive, and she suffered from a variety of symptoms. "My days haven't been so bad, aside from a lot of fatigue and sleeping," she wrote in an Instagram post. "At night is when it's the worst for me because of the mix of sweating and chills."

Fortunately, it didn't take too long for Aydin to feel better, as she was on the mend by the tenth day. "I'm taking my vitamins and drinking hot liquids," she continued. She also thanked her husband for all of his help, as he looked after their children while she rested. 

Aydin also reminded her followers that we're all in this together and that we will get through it. Thanks for the positivity, Jennifer!

When country star Sturgill Simpson fell ill on March 13, 2020, he had his wife take him to the hospital to get tested for coronavirus. However, at that time, the doctor who treated him said he didn't qualify for testing, despite the fact that he'd been on tour in Europe and was showing symptoms of COVID-19. 

But when Simpson was able to access a test a month later, he jumped at the chance to be on the safe side. "Yesterday on Friday April 10th, after almost one month without any symptoms, I received a call from the Nashville CDC stating that my test resulted in a positive detection for Covid-19," he wrote in an Instagram post. Fortunately, his wife tested negative.

Simpson also lamented the manner in which authorities are managing the outbreak, and he criticized the idea of opening businesses before the pandemic has been tempered. 

In early March 2020, all of the shows on Broadway went dark in an effort to stop to spread of coronavirus. But that didn't stop actor Danny Burstein from coming down with a bad case of COVID-19, which landed him in the emergency room. "I'd been coughing up blood for two to three days," the theater actor — who's appeared in shows like South Pacific, My Fair Lady, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical! (via Playbill) — penned in an essay for The Hollywood Reporter. "It was when I was on my hands and knees in the shower that I knew it was time to go to the hospital."

Once in the competent care of doctors and nurses at St. Luke's hospital, Burstein realized just how bad the pandemic was. "I was surrounded by death and I knew that the longer I stayed in the unit the greater my chances were that eventually it would be me the nurses were talking about," he continued.

Fortunately, Burstein made it out to the other side and returned to his home to finish recuperating.