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From Greta Thunberg and Tom Hanks to Harvey Weinstein, coronavirus hits celebrities, sports stars and politicians

One thing the coronavirus pandemic has proved is that it makes no difference who you are - no one is immune.

Politicians, sporting stars and Hollywood celebrities are among those dealing with the virus.

Here's a round-up of public figures around the world who have been diagnosed with Covid-19.

Politics

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg, the teenage climate change activist, has revealed that she has self-isolated after showing coronavirus symptoms.

Ms Thunberg, 17, took to social media to urge young people in particular to take the virus seriously, noting that she did not feel particularly ill.

Greta Thunberg said she had shivers, a sore throat and a cough -  Johanna Geron/REUTERS
Greta Thunberg said she had shivers, a sore throat and a cough - Johanna Geron/REUTERS

While Ms Thunberg has not been tested for coronavirus, because her home country of Sweden does not currently test for it outside hospitals, she said it is "extremely likely" she has had it.

She urged people to practice social distancing "whether you feel ill or not", in line with widespread guidance which aims to prevent transmission from person to person.

Michel Barnier

The EU's Brexit negotiator has tested positive for coronavirus. The French politician took to Twitter to share the news on 19 March.

Michel Barnier has tested positive with coronavirus - AP
Michel Barnier has tested positive with coronavirus - AP

The French politician wrote: "I would like to inform you that I have tested positive for #COVID19. I am doing well and in good spirits. I am following all the necessary instructions, as is my team."

"For all those affected already, and for all those currently in isolation, we will get through this together."

Sophie Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Prime Minister's office said Mr Trudeau was not showing any symptoms of  the virus, but he would stay in isolation for 14 days and work from home.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie in Quebec last October. Mrs Grégoire Trudeau has coronavirus. - Reuters
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie in Quebec last October. Mrs Grégoire Trudeau has coronavirus. - Reuters

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau came down with flu-like symptoms after travelling to London.

She became sick after returning home from a visit to the UK last week and is also isolating herself at home, according to a statement which said her condition has improved but out of an abundance of caution she is being tested for Covid-19.

Mrs Grégoire Trudeau was in London to speak at a WE day event at Wembley about women's empowerment alongside former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard and pop star Leona Lewis to an audience of 13,000 young people.

Begona Gomez, the wife of Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has also been infected. The government said that Mrs Gomez and the prime minister are in good health.

Nadine Dorries

Minister Nadine Dorries self-isolated at home after being diagnosed with the illness.

Fellow health minister Edward Argar is also self-isolating at home "as a precaution" after having lunch with Ms Dorries on Thursday, the day she started to feel unwell.

Nadine Dorries said she was concerned for her mother - Andrew Crowley
Nadine Dorries said she was concerned for her mother - Andrew Crowley

Ms Dorries said she felt weak and tired.

"But [I] didn't start with the first symptoms (cough) until 10.45am on Friday," she wrote on Twitter.

Ms Dorries said it had been "pretty rubbish, but I hope I'm over the worst of it now".

"More worried about my 84-year-old mum who is staying with me and began with the cough today."

Nicola Zingaretti

Italian politician Nicola Zingaretti has tested positive to coronavirus.

The leader of the co-ruling Democratic party is the first leading Italian politician to test positive.

Mr Zingaretti is the brother of Montalbano star Luca Zingaretti.

Masoumeh Ebtekar

The vice president of Iran, Masoumeh Ebtekar, is the seventh government official to test positive in a country afflicted with the coronavirus.

Culture

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks announced on Thursday that he and wife Rita Wilson have been diagnosed with coronavirus.

The Oscar-winning actor, 63, has been in Australia filming an upcoming Elvis Presley biopic and said he started experiencing symptoms of the virus.

Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson  - AFP
Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson - AFP

Hanks said he felt like he had a cold, while Wilson, also 63, suffered from chills.

They have both tested positive for coronavirus, Hanks said on Instagram.

"Well, now. What to do next? The medical officials have protocols that must be followed," he said.

"We Hanks will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no?

"We'll keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves!"

Debi Mazar

American actress Debi Mazar confirmed on social media that she had contracted Covid-19, but was OK.

Mazar posted last night: "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.

She said she assumed it was seasonal, but "it felt unusual/different".

On March 15 she woke up with the same symptoms, but this time with "super-intense body aches" and a fever.

"I had had cocktails the evening prior, and smoked a few cigarettes. I figured I had jacked my immune system from having a fun night with friends. I called a doctor/friend to ask if I could get the Covid-19 test," she wrote.

Mazar was told she did not meet the criteria: "I hadn’t recently travelled out of the country and I hadn't been with someone who had actually tested positive.

"I found this kind of a crazy criteria for a New Yorker as I had taken the subway, gone to the theatre, the grocery store, the pharmacy, hair salon, etc.

"I was the mum who was trying to prepare the home and get supplies and bleach wipes, dry goods, extra food etc.

"Because we have Italian family in Italy and we follow the news closely, my biggest panic was why were they not closing schools in New York City and forbidding movement outside the home without permission, like China and all of Europe?"

View this post on Instagram

I have just tested positive for Covid-19.I AM OK! 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?😬 I had had cocktails the evening prior,and smoked a few cigarettes. I figured I had jacked my immune system from having a fun night with friends.I called a doctor/friend to ask if I could get the Covid-19 test on 3/16.He said NO,I didn’t meet the criteria.I hadn’t recently traveled out of the country&I hadnt been with someone who had actually tested positive.I found this kind of a CRAZY criteria for a NY’er as I had taken the subway,gone to the theater,the grocery store,the pharmacy,hair salon,etc.I was the Mom who was trying to prepare the home and get supplies&bleach wipes,dry goods.extra food etc. Because we have Italian family in Italy and we follow the news closely,my biggest panic was why were they not closing schools in NYC &forbidding movement outside the home without permission,like China and all of Europe? Prospect Park yesterday,i hear was jumpin’! A friend told me that CityMD/Urgent Care in my neighborhood had test kits,which appealed to me as I wanted to stay away from the hospital. I went on 3/17.First I was tested for the flu-which was negative.Then they tested me for Covid-19. I was sent home and told to quarantine myself until I had results,which would take 3-7 days(in S.Korea it takes two hours) Well..today is day 5 and I just found out.Im hoping I’ve been through the worst of it already.Its very “morphy”.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!My family is under quarantine for 14 days.They have no symptoms.I think we all had it possibly already?Who knows. Anyhow,stay home people!Protect yourselves&your loved ones.Build up your immune systems.Good Luck&God Bless us all! #alonetogether #physicaldistancing #stayhome

A post shared by Debi Mazar (@debimazar) on Mar 21, 2020 at 1:01pm PDT

Mazar was eventually tested and sent home to self-isolate. She received news that she was positive yesterday.

"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 said.

"My family is under quarantine for 14 days. They have no symptoms. I think we all had it possibly already? Who knows."

Idris Elba

British actor Idris Elba confirmed he had tested positive for Covid-19 in a video posted on Twitter on March 16.

He said he felt “OK” and had “no symptoms so far” but had begun self-isolating after discovering he had come into contact with another known case.

The 47-year-old had attended the same We Day event at Wembley Arena on March 4 as Mrs Trudeau.

Olga Kurylenko

Former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko revealed on March 15 that she had tested positive. The 40-year-old, who starred in Quantum of Solace, said she had been "ill for almost a week" with fever and fatigue before being diagnosed.

Kristofer Hivju

Kristofer Hivju, the actor best known for his role as Tormund Giantsbane in Game of Thronesself-isolated at home with minor symptoms after testing positive for the virus.

Fiona Phillips

Former GMTV host Fiona Phillips told fans she had symptoms including a sore throat and dry cough but was "fine" and "not suffering".

Phillips, 59, tweeted: "I am in bed with #coronvirusuk It's not a very pleasant bedfellow, but nothing more than sore throat, dry cough, headache & tiredness. As long as it stays that way....DON'T panic!"

Harvey Weinstein

Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who is serving a prison sentence for sexual assault and rape, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the head of the state corrections officers union.

Weinstein, 68, has been placed in isolation at Wende Correctional Facility, said Michael Powers, president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

Mr Powers said he is concerned about the corrections officers, who he said lack proper protective equipment. Several staff have been quarantined, Mr Powers said.

Weinstein arrived at Wende Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison east of Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday after being housed at New York City's Rikers Island jail.

He was sentenced to 23 years in prison on March 11 for sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping Jessica Mann, a onetime aspiring actress.

Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus - Getty
Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus - Getty

Placido Domingo

Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo said he had tested positive for coronavirus and had gone into self isolation with his family.

"We are currently all in good health but I developed a cough and a fever and decided to get tested, and the result came back positive," Domingo wrote on Facebook.

Spain is struggling to contain Europe's second worst outbreak of the coronavirus after Italy, with over 28,000 cases and more than 1,700 deaths, according to the Health Ministry.

Previously one of the opera world's most feted artists, Domingo's reputation is now in tatters after an investigation by the American Guild of Musical Artists concluded he had behaved inappropriately with female performers.

The singer has publicly apologised to the women who accused him of sexual harassment.

Royal

Prince Albert II

Monaco's Prince Albert II tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the principality said in a statement on March 19, adding there were "no concerns for his health".

Monaco's Prince Albert II tests positive for coronavirus  - REX
Monaco's Prince Albert II tests positive for coronavirus - REX

The titular head of the Mediterranean enclave is continuing to work from his private apartments at the royal palace, the statement said.

Sport

Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea

Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for coronavirus as the pandemic continued to strike the sporting world.

In the early hours of Friday, Chelsea said the full men's team squad, coaching staff and a number of backroom staff would self-isolate after Hudson-Odoi returned a positive test.

Callum Hudson-Odoi at a training session at Chelsea's Cobham training facility in Stoke D'Abernon last November. - AFP
Callum Hudson-Odoi at a training session at Chelsea's Cobham training facility in Stoke D'Abernon last November. - AFP

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal

Arsenal confirmed  that their Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta had tested positive for coronavirus and that the entire Gunners first-team squad would be placed into self-isolation.

Hours later the Premier League, acting on government advice, said that all this weekend's fixtures would be postponed.

Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta - AFP
Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta - AFP

Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: "Our thoughts are with Mikel, who is disappointed but in good spirits.

"We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows."

Evangelos Marinakis, Nottingham Forest

Arsenal's league match at Manchester City was postponed and several Gunners players went into self-isolation after Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted the virus.

Marinakis, 52, met a number of Arsenal's players and staff when the Gunners faced Olympiakos in a Europa League tie in February.

Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant was among four members of the Brooklyn Nets basketball team who tested positive for the coronavirus. The team announced on March 18 that multiple players were diagnosed with the disease, without disclosing names. Durant, a former NBA MVP and one of the biggest names in the sport, told The Athletic: “Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We’re going to get through this.”

Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz NBA player Rudy Gobert has confirmed he has Covid-19.

"What would kill the NBA season is if more players catch it," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in an interview on CNBC.

Rudy Gobert was diagnosed with the new coronavirus - Shutterstock
Rudy Gobert was diagnosed with the new coronavirus - Shutterstock

He called the hiatus a matter of "us being vigilant, as all businesses should be".

"Businesses are going to have to be incredibly vigilant, and that's hard," Cuban said.

A day after the NBA put its season on temporary suspension, a second member of Utah Jazz, Donovan Mitchell, tested positive for coronavirus.

The league said its suspension would last for at least 30 days - possibly a conservative guess - as teams undertake the task of identifying any player or referee who has had recent contact with the Jazz, then putting them into isolation for the required two weeks.

Manolo Gabbiadini, Sampdoria

Former Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini, now at Sampdoria, has also tested positive for coronavirus.

Fernando Gaviria, cyclist

Colombian cyclist Fernando Gaviria, who was participating in the UAE Tour prior to its cancellation last month, has confirmed he had the virus.

Gaviria, who had remained in quarantine in the UAE, said in a video message on Instagram: "There are many rumours circulating in regard to my state of health, but I'm fine. I've been here, undergoing regular tests, which have returned positive for the coronavirus, but I'm feeling fine."

Other riders and staff from Gaviria's UAE Team Emirates had been in voluntary quarantine since February 27 but have now announced they are to travel to Europe.