“I didn’t have any symptoms,” he said in the video.
“I got tested because I had realised I got exposed to someone who had also tested positive. I found out last Friday that they were tested positive, I quarantined myself and got a test immediately and got results back today.”
Elba said that “it sucks” but he’s “doing okay” at home with his wife Sabrina Dhowre, who he said has not yet been tested.
“Look, this is serious,” he said.
“Now’s the time to really 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’s a real time to be really vigilant about washing your hands and keeping your distance … If you’re feeling ill, and you feel like you should be tested, or you’ve been exposed, then do something about it. It’s really important.”
Idris stressed the importance of working together to stop further spread.
“Look, we live in a divided world right now, we can all feel it, it’s been bulls—,” he said.
“But now’s the time for solidarity, now’s the time for thinking about each other. There’s so many people whose lives have been affected, from those who have lost people that they love, to people who don’t even have it and have lost their livelihoods. This is real, alright?”
Elba said he would continue to update his fans on how he’s doing, “but so far we’re feeling okay.”
“Stay positive and don’t freak out,” he added.
Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were also tested positive for the virus last week and have been recuperating in a Queensland hospital.