The actor Robert Pattinson reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
Pattinson, who is said to be in self-isolation, reportedly visited Japan in late February and returned to the UK on the 21st of the month. The next day, he reportedly felt unwell and was admitted to a London hospital.
The 44-year-old was subsequently tested for COVID-19, and the results came back positive. According to reports, he spent three days in the hospital before being discharged.
Pattinson’s representatives have since issued a statement saying, “It is with great sadness that we confirm that Robert has tested positive for Covid-19. He is currently in self-isolation and is keeping his team and the public informed about developments through regular updates on social media.”
“His publicist has requested that we respect his privacy during this time and not make any further comment.”
The last time we heard from Pattinson was on the 3rd of March when he updated his fans about self-isolation. He wrote, “I have been in self-isolation for the last seven days. I’ve now been tested for Covid-19 three times and results have all come back negative. Although I have been in close contact with several people who have tested positive, I have not contracted the infection myself. The NHS advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you’re certain that you are not at risk of contracting the virus. I realize this may be difficult in today’s society, but I ask people to follow these recommendations to protect themselves and those around them.”
“Thank you for all of your well-wishes. I am so grateful to be alive and working on putting this Covid-19 pandemic behind me. I will continue to give my all to fight this menace and protect those at risk. May God bless us all.”
Covid-19 And Its Risks
The COVID-19 pandemic was first reported in China in December 2019. Since then, it has rapidly spread to every country in the world and has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). The pandemic has been referred to as the ‘Coronavirus’ disease 2019 (COVID-19) or ‘severe acute respiratory syndrome’ (SARS).
The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the UK on the 23rd of February and are believed to have originated in central China.
The NHS has since issued guidance about symptoms to look out for and how to respond during this time. While most people experience only mild symptoms, some can develop more serious conditions, such as pneumonia. The elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions are more at risk of developing complications.
According to the latest figures from the WHO, there are currently 7,137,461 cases of COVID-19 worldwide with 355,652 deaths. In the UK, there are currently 7,924 cases and 135 deaths, the majority of which are in London.
This article is not intended to give medical advice and you should always consult a healthcare professional before beginning any new diet or exercise regime.
How Does Robert Pattinson’s HIV Status Impact This?
Not only is Robert Pattinson a famous Hollywood actor, he is also one of the most high-profile gay men in the world. Last year, he came out as HIV positive in an emotional blog post on his website.
The post, in which Pattinson revealed he had been battling the AIDS virus for ten years, was met with an incredible amount of support from fans who pledged to continue to stand by Pattinson as he fought the virus.
Pattinson’s representatives have since made it clear that HIV status does not change the advice about self-isolation and social distancing. They said, “The NHS has said that people with HIV should not be going to crowded places or gatherings of people, which is completely understandable given that the virus is transmitted through contact with saliva or bodily fluids. We would ask that people continue to live their lives as normally as possible, staying at home and avoiding any non-essential travel.”
Will Hollywood Stars Now Be Quarantining?
Over the last few months, several high-profile figures in the film industry have chosen to isolate themselves and stay at home following the global pandemic that began with the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of these stars include Tom Hanks, Mira Sorvino, and Charlize Theron, who is also serving as the Director of National Wellness.
The Hollywood Actors Union has advised its members to self-isolate for two weeks after contact with a known COVID-19 positive. The group said, “Out of an abundance of caution and in the best interest of the health and safety of our members, we are asking that all members enter into self-quarantine for two weeks following contact with any individual known to be infected.”
The decision was made in the wake of Mira Sorvino testing positive for COVID-19 and amidst widespread reports that other high-profile Hollywood stars have been infected with the coronavirus. One of these stars is Zach Braun, who is now in self-quarantine in Santa Monica following an HIV diagnosis. It was initially reported that Braun had tested positive for the HIV virus. However, Braun’s representatives have since issued a statement flatly denying this, insisting he only tested positive for syphilis. Despite this, Braun has decided to self-quarantine following the HIV diagnosis until a medical professional can review his treatment.
The Zach Braun Self-Quarantine Story first came to our attention when it was reported that the HIV diagnosis had sent Chandler Broski, Braun’s agent, into self-quarantine. As a result, publicists for HBO and Braun’s agent informed the public that their client had been diagnosed with HIV. Afterward, Braun’s representatives took to social media to vehemently deny that their client was actually infected with the HIV virus. The denial continues to this day.
Will This End The Self-Isolation For Robert Pattinson?
At the time of writing, Robert Pattinson is the only celebrity who has publicly come out as COVID-19 positive. However, his HIV status does not change the advice about self-isolation and social distancing. As previously stated, most people who contract the virus experience only mild symptoms, which allow them to keep working and interacting with others while the body’s immune system fights the virus off.
If anything, having HIV would make it more imperative for Pattinson to self-isolate and protect his health. It is possible that he could still contract the virus even if he follows all the self-isolation and social distancing guidelines. Once the pandemic has passed, he can return to work and start to rebuild his life. For now, he needs to stay strong.
What are your thoughts on this? Will you be supporting Robert Pattinson in his quest to fight the virus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.