David Campbell considers self-isolation after interviewing Tom Hanks’ wife

Television presenter David Campbell has decided to self-isolate after interviewing Tom Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson, on Today Extra on Monday.

Tom and Rita tested positive for coronovirus on Thursday (AEST) while the Oscar-winning actor was filming a movie on the Gold Coast.

Shortly after the announcement, David said on 2GB’s Afternoons with Deborah Knight: ‘I interviewed her on Monday, Deb. She came into the Today Extra studios on Monday and she was delightful and really nice and she didn’t have any symptoms of anything.’

He added: ‘She was cautious. She actually made a joke coming into the studios, saying we shouldn’t shake hands, we should bump elbows. So we bumped elbows.’

David and his Today Extra co-host Belinda Russell, who was also on the panel when they interviewed Rita, are both taking precautionary measures.

In the meantime, he is taking his three children, Leo, Billy and Betty, out of school and is self-isolating with his family.

He added that he feels ‘perfectly fine’ and isn’t too concerned about the risk because he only spent ‘seven or eight minutes’ with Rita.

A Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Nine today has taken action in line with our crisis response plan around a visit to our studio by Ms Rita Wilson on Monday this week, for an appearance on Today Extra with David Campbell and Belinda Russell. 

‘Our actions are in line with the guidelines set out by the Government and Health Authorities. Those who were in prolonged contact with Ms Wilson have been tested and are self-isolating for 14 days. Our premises is currently being thoroughly cleaned in all areas she visited and we are encouraging our employees to monitor their health and practice good hygiene.

‘Tracy Grimshaw is not hosting ACA [A Current Affair] tonight as a precautionary measure since she had minor surgery last week. Karl Stefanovic will host in her place. Arrangements for hosts for Today Extra are still being confirmed.’ 

Tom revealed on Instagram on Thursday that he and his wife experienced symptoms including the common cold, body aches and chills before they decided to get tested.

He wrote: ‘Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. 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.

‘Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. 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! Hanx!’

Tom also shared a picture of what appears to be a medical waste basket and a latex glove in a hospital.

Tom had arrived on the Gold Coast on January 26 to begin pre-production on a Baz Luhrmann-directed film about Elvis Presley in which he plays Presley’s longtime manager, Colonel Tom Parker. 

He was rumoured to be staying at Peppers Broadbeach – the very same hotel building where a 44-year-old Chinese national, who later became one of Australia’s first cases of coronavirus, was staying.

Warner Bros., which is producing the as-yet-untitled film, said in a statement: ‘We have been made aware that a company member from our Elvis feature film, which is currently in pre-production on the Gold Coast, Australia, has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

‘We are working closely with the appropriate Australian health agencies to identify and contact anyone who may have come in direct contact with the individual. The health and safety of our company members is always our top priority, and we are taking precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world.

‘The individual who tested positive for COVID-19 is currently receiving treatment.’

Australia has more than 120 cases confirmed cases of coronavirus. 

In Queensland, where Gold Coast is located, there are currently 20 other confirmed cases of coronavirus and almost 3,000 people in self-isolation at home. 

The news of Tom’s diagnosis broke as President Donald Trump announced a 30-day suspension on travel from Europe to the U.S. due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Also on Wednesday, the World Health Organization deemed the COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Tom and Rita have visited several cities in Australia this month, making stops in Sydney, Brisbane, and Bondi Beach, while being based primarily on the Gold Coast.