Celebrities with coronavirus urge fans to stay safe

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to reverberate around the world, some of Hollywood's biggest stars are speaking about their experiences with the disease dubbed COVID-19 by the scientific community. Read on for more on the stars who have been diagnosed with the illness, and how they're urging fans to stay safe and take the virus seriously.

Gwyneth Paltrow revealed in February that she had COVID-19 "early on," which left her with "some long-tailed fatigue and brain fog." The actress and Goop founder also wrote that in January, her doctor said her road to healing would take "longer than usual." So to keep her body healthy, Paltrow has been adhering to a keto and plant-based diet and refraining from sugar and alcohol.

The 33-year-old Jersey Shore alum shared the news via Instagram on Feb. 14, posting a photo of herself wearing a mask while holding a bouquet of flowers at home.

"Happy Valentine's Day! This ones a bit different....I have Covid. I've been isolated in my room since I found out. My family & I have been super cautious & careful, so this is super scary," she wrote in her caption.

Beloved sports personality and talk show mainstay Michael Strahan, 49, was noticeably absent from his post on Good Morning America throughout the week beginning Jan. 25, 2021, which cohosts Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos and Amy Robach addressed at the top of the Jan. 28 broadcast. 

"We know that you have noticed that Michael has not been here with us this week. He wanted us to let you know that he has tested positive for COVID and is at home, quarantining right now," Roberts explained, with Stephanopoulos adding: "So many of you have reached out to him and asked about him and he says, 'Thank you,' for the concern and well wishes. He's also feeling well and looking forward to being back here shortly." 

The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. actress shared an Instagram story on New Year's Eve 2020 revealing she and several of her family members were battling the illness. 

"On Christmas morning I woke up with a high fever, and unable to breathe," she wrote. "I got tested, and I'm positive for COVID-19... it's been a rough week to say the least."

The Office star shared she tested positive for COVID-19 after her husband Joshua Snyder, her two stepsons, and her daughter came down with the virus. "I started not feeling well and went to get retested. I knew the odds were against me seeing as I was living with 4 Covid positive people. I really tried to quarantine and not get it," she wrote in an Instagram Story post on Dec. 29. 

News broke on Jan. 2 that legendary talk show host Larry King had been hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. "Larry has fought so many health issues in the last few years and he is fighting this one hard too, he's a champ," a source close to King's family told ABC News.

Dr. Drew Pinsky announced on Dec. 29 that he tested posted for COVID-19. "Cheers to the New Year with some Hydralyte for COVID-19. Drew tested positive [on] day 4," an Instagram photo caption from his official account reads. His wife Susan has so far tested negative for the novel coronavirus. Pinsky, who previously dismissed the outbreak as “a press-induced panic” before apologizing, is currently under surveillance at home and his fever is down. 

Former Bachelorette star and Dancing with the Stars winner Kaitlyn Bristowe revealed on Instagram that she and her boyfriend, former Bachelorette contestant Jason Tartick, have tested positive for COVID-19. She explained that they were trying to quarantine before seeing family, but felt it was safe to have one person over who was being tested daily for work. "The day we saw her, she became positive which we all found out the next day," Bristowe wrote. "Now, like many, we will spend Christmas by ourselves. We just want to let everyone know that we thought we were being safe, but COVID is bigger than us."

S.W.A.T. star Shemar Moore shared the news of his coronavirus diagnosis on Dec. 24 in an Instagram post. "I HAVE COVID!!!! Just found out moments ago," the Criminal Minds alum wrote, noting that he first thought he simply had food poisoning. "I have to accept test results... I feel fine now... but I have to be responsible!!!! My Xmas n New Years is clearly not gonna be the best... my last year and a half has not been the best... but I WILL BE OKAY!!!!"

Sharon Osbourne revealed in December that she was briefly hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. The Talk cohost also said she was currently isolating away from her husband, rocker Ozzy Osbourne. "I’m now recuperating at a location away from Ozzy (who has tested negative) while 'The Talk' is on scheduled hiatus," she tweeted. "Everyone please stay safe and healthy."

Ellen DeGeneres shut down production on her eponymous talk show on Dec. 10, after confirming she tested positive for COVID-19. She posted a message on Twitter confirming she's "feeling fine right now" and that she's following "all proper CDC guidelines."

Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has tested positive for COVID-19, she announced via Instagram on Dec. 10. While she's at home resting and taking care of herself, she shared a "friendly reminder to be extra careful this holiday season. Wear your masks, socially and physically keep your distance, and wash your hands."

Gloria Estefan confirmed she tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 1. Though she said she had been strict with protocols, she dined outdoors once at her Miami restaurant where she was approached by someone without a mask. She has since recovered.

Rosie Perez confirms she had COVID-19 in December 2019, while shooting The Flight Attendant in Bangkok. The HBO Max drama only had two and a half more episodes to go when production was shut down, according to Uproxx. 

Urban Latino superstar Bad Bunny had to pull out of performing duties at the 2020 American Music Awards after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson became the first known celebrities to openly share their diagnosis when they released a statement on March 11. "Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia," Hanks wrote on his social media accounts. "We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive."

Hanks went on to say that he and his wife would "be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires" and promised updates. After posting various updates on their well-being, it was revealed on March 16 that the couple had left the hospital and were remaining under quarantine at a rented house in Australia.

Olga Kurylenko, known for playing Camille in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, revealed on March 15 that she had the virus. "Locked up at home after having tested positive for Coronavirus," she wrote in a post on her Instagram. "I’ve actually been ill for almost a week now. Fever and fatigue are my main symptoms. Take care of yourself and do take this seriously!" The following day, she posted again to thank her fans for reaching out and sending her well wishes, and she took the time to answer some of the most common questions she has received about the illness, including why she wasn't in the hospital and what it was like to get tested. 

Kristofer Hivju, who played the lovable and fearsome Tormund Giantsbane on Game of Thrones, announced he had tested positive for the virus in a post on his Instagram on March 16.

"Greetings from Norway!" Hivju wrote. "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."

His post 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. Together we can fight this virus and avert a crisis at our hospitals. Please take care of each other, keep your distance, and stay healthy! Please visit your country's Center for Disease Control's website, and 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."

Luther star Idris Elba took to his social media accounts on March 16 to share the news that he was the latest celebrity to contract the illness.

"This morning I tested positive for Covid 19," he wrote on Twitter. "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."

Elba further elaborated in a video he posted with wife Sabrina Dhowre: "It came back positive, yeah, and it sucks. I’m doing okay. Sabrina hasn’t been tested and she’s doing okay. I didn’t have any symptoms. I got tested because I realized I was exposed to someone who also tested positive. I found out last Friday that they tested positive, I quarantined myself immediately and got a test immediately and got the results back today. It’s serious."

He then encouraged people to practice social distancing and wash their hands. "Look, we live in a divided world right now, we can all feel it, it’s been bullshit," Elba concluded. "Now’s the time for solidarity. Now’s the time for thinking about each other. There are so many people whose lives have been affected, from people who’ve lost somebody they love to people who don’t even have it and have lost their livelihoods. This is real."

Music producer Andrew Watt, known creatively as Watt, revealed on March 17 that he tested positive with COVID-19, after initially being told he had the flu. "Yesterday I was given the results that I am positive for COVID-19. I wanted to tell you all about my journey getting here in an effort to bring awareness to the severity of what's happening in the world," he wrote in a series of posts on his Instagram.

Watt, who won a Grammy in 2019 for his work on Cardi B's album Invasion of Privacy, and who has also worked with Post Malone and Ozzy Osbourne, said on March 6 he started feeling like he was "hit by a bus. I couldn't move out of my bed for days and started to run a fever." He was told he had the flu, and ordered to take Tamiflu and Tylenol to ease his symptoms, which later progressed. "The chills, sweats, and fevers did not stop," he said. "I started to become delusional and then began the dry cough." He said he was taken to the hospital, where he "begged" to be tested, and he was denied. Finally a private doctor was able to give him the test, and it came back positive.

Watt said currently his fever is subsiding some and he's regaining his appetite, but he still has difficulty breathing. He concluded his post with a warning. "I am 29 years old. I am a healthy young man and I am going to get through this no matter what. I am going to make a full recovery," he wrote. "But... there are so many people in my life and in the world that could possibly not get through this due to their age and/or a compromised immune system... this is why I am writing this post. I can't stress this enough... This is not a joke. Stay inside, stay sanitized."

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant revealed March 17 that he, along with at least three of his teammates, had tested positive for the virus. "Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine," said Durant, who told The Athletic that he was feeling fine. "We're going to get through this." The Nets released a statement confirming that four players had tested positive, but only one was showing symptoms. The organization did not name the players. "All players and members of the Nets travel party are being asked to remain isolated, closely monitor their health and maintain constant communication with team medical staff," the team said.

Singer and model Charlotte Lawrence announced March 18 that she had tested positive for COVID-19. 

In an Instagram post sharing the news, the 19-year-old daughter of actress Christa Miller and TV producer Bill Lawrence assured fans that she will be "completely fine," but urged her nearly 800,000 followers to do everything in their power to follow safety protocols and "protect those less able to survive this virus." 

"Think about your parents. Think about your grandparents. I love so many people who might have a very tough time getting through this," the Birds of Prey soundtrack singer continued. "For the love of God, self f—ing quarantine or you'll be on my s— list." 

Game of Thrones and The Seagull star Indira Varma indicated March 18 on Instagram that she was sick from the illness.

"So sad our and so many other shows around the world have gone dark affected by the Covid-19 pandemic," she wrote. "We hope to be back soon and urge you all (and the govt) to support us when we do."

She concluded her note by urging her followers to be kind to others: "Phoenix/ Seagull rising from the ashes. I’m in bed with it and it’s not nice. Stay safe and healthy and be kind to your fellow people."

Daniel Dae Kim revealed March 19 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 the day prior. The Lost and Hawaii Five-O actor posted a video to his Instagram explaining his experience so far with the illness. "Hi everyone- yesterday I was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus," he wrote alongside the video. "Looks like I’ll be ok, but I wanted share my journey with you in the hopes that you find it informative or helpful. Hope you all stay safe, calm, and above all, healthy."

In the video, which he filmed while he self-quarantines at his home in Hawaii, he explained his symptoms and his experience taking the test. The actor also said that though he is feeling much better, everyone should be taking this pandemic seriously. He concluded his video by thanking his family, friends, and fans for their support and kept things light by making a joke. "I guess it's nice to be mentioned in the same breath as Tom Hanks and Idris Elba, two of my favorite actors," he said. "I guess I'm in some pretty good company."

Bachelor star Colton Underwood, who appeared on the show's 23rd season, announced on March 20 that he had tested positive for COVID-19, after first feeling symptoms of the illness a few days prior.

“It’s been kicking my ass, just to put it pretty bluntly,” the 28-year-old said in a video posted to his Instagram. “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 that he is currently self-isolating at his girlfriend Cassie Randolph's parents' home in California, but that everyone is "in good spirits" and he would keep fans posted.

“So, I guess the reason I’m sharing this is not to cause fear or panic, but to hopefully encourage you guys to stay home, do your part, take care of yourselves, take care of one another,” he said. “I just want to encourage everybody to stay at home. Stay in your house and do your part and take care of one another.”

Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen said on March 20 that he has coronavirus.

"After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for Coronavirus," he wrote in an Instagram post. "As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we’re putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better. I want to thank all the medical professionals who are working tirelessly for all of us, and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves."

Younger star Debi Mazar announced March 21 on her Instagram that she had tested positive for the virus.

"I have just tested positive for Covid-19. I AM OK!" she wrote. "About a month ago my entire home (husband and two teen daughters) got an odd bug - Low grade fever, headaches, sore throat, body aches, ears ringing and a dry cough. It cleared up quickly. Seasonal I thought? but it felt unusual/different... Two weeks later, March 15th, I woke up with all those same symptoms but super intense body aches, and 102.4 fever. I figured maybe I got the flu or..Corona?"

Like many others, Mazar had issues getting access to a test because she didn't meet the stated "criteria" to get one, but when she finally took the test, it came back positive. "I'm hoping I’ve been through the worst of it already... One day I feel crappy and the next I’m normal. Today my lungs are heavy, but I’m tough. I can breath, and I’m going to heal here, in my own home!"

She ended her message by telling her fans to stay home. "Protect yourselves & your loved ones. Build up your immune systems. Good Luck & God Bless us all!"

Dancing With the Stars champion Nyle DiMarco said on March 21 via his Twitter account that he believes he has coronavirus but that he has opted to forego getting tested so that people with more serious symptoms can take the test instead.

DiMarco said he began experiencing symptoms of the virus, including a spiked fever, chills, sore throat, and a mild cough, as well as a lack of smell and taste, and that he spoke with his doctor and placed himself on self-quarantine.

"I'd really like to stress the importance of testing," he wrote on social media. "Of course testing is critical and it's been proven in some countries like South Korea to greatly help the efforts of combating Coronavirus. In a perfect world I would take that test. However, the U.S. lacks enough test kits for everyone. If you are healthy and if you have no respiratory issues I strongly encourage you to be mindful of sick patients and allow them to get tested if they need it more than you do. And please stay home." He ended his note by saying, "We're all in this together. Let's do it."

Like DiMarco, Broadway star Gavin Creel announced on March 22 that he believes he has COVID-19, but he has not been formally tested for the virus.

Creel revealed the news during Rosie O'Donnell's live-streamed show. "I'm pretty sure I have the virus," Creel said. "I haven't been officially tested, but I was doing Waitress in London and a bunch of our cast has fallen sick from it. One of my castmates did test the same day that I was starting to have symptoms, and she's positive and we were together the whole time." 

He described his symptoms as having a "cruddy flu." He said he's "hanging tight" and shared that his doctor told him to stay away from other people for 14 days.

Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo on March 22 announced he has tested positive for coronavirus.

"I feel it is my moral duty to announce to you that I have tested positive for COVID19, the Corona virus," he wrote in a post on his Facebook page. "My Family and I are all in self isolation for as long as it is deemed medically necessary. Currently we are all in good health but I experienced fever and cough symptoms therefore deciding to get tested and the result came back positive."

He urged followers "to be extremely careful, follow the basic guidelines by washing your hands frequently, keeping at least a 6 feet distance from others, doing everything you can to stop the virus from spreading and please above all stay home if you can!"

Domingo recently resigned from the opera singer union AGMA, after an internal investigation by the American Guild of Musical Artists and LA Opera found multiple accusations of sexual harassment against him.

On March 22, news broke that disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein had tested positive for the virus. Weinstein is one of two inmates at Wende Correctional Facility in western New York who tested positive, according to Reuters. Weinstein is currently serving out a 23-year sentence for committing a criminal sex act in the first degree and rape in the third degree. No official statement from Weinst