Idris Elba tests positive for COVID-19Idris Elba Jerritt Clark E1556462130620

Idris Elba tests positive for COVID-19

COVID-19, or the novel Coronavirus, is showing it doesn’t discriminate. Following its first high profile celebrity case in Tom Hanks and various European soccer players, the next public figure to test positive for the illness is Idris Elba.

The actor and longtime DJ is asymptomatic as of writing, but had decided to get himself tested as a precaution following exposure to someone else who’d contracted the virus. He is currently in isolation, according to his social media announcement. His diagnosis outlines the importance of social distancing, and how the virus can be spread through fit and healthy individuals who might not show obvious symptoms.

In the meantime, the public is encouraged to stay calm and continue to unify in efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, which has been classified as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The virus—which originated in Wuhan, China—doesn’t pose a direct threat to the demographic generally attending events en masse, but can still be spread to more vulnerable parts of the population (the elderly and those that are immunocompromised); thus, it’s important to maintain measures for social distancing, and hygiene practices like washing hands and disinfecting surfaces. Many of these measures have since become mandatory in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, while the United States is officially under a state of National Emergency.

As of writing, global COVID-19 cases are at 181,248, with 7,128 deaths and 78,328 full recoveries—according to the World Health Organization. China, Taiwan, Singapore, and others have already been able to contain the outbreaks, for the most part, while Europe is the new epicenter of the outbreak. More tracking information can be found here.

Photo credit: Jeritt Clark

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