Richard Wilkins gave an update to fans on Thursday, after testing positive for coronavirus earlier this week.
In a clip shared to his Instagram Story, the 65-year-old entertainment reporter said he’s awaiting the results of his second test, on day seven of self-isolation.
Dressed casually inside his mansion in Sydney’s Cremorne, the Today Extra star said he’s looking forward to getting back to work and making ‘some good television’.
‘I want to get back to work!’ Richard Wilkins, 65, (pictured) gave fans an update on day seven of self-isolation after his coronavirus diagnosis, in an Instagram Story clip on Thursday
‘Hi everybody, it is day seven for me which I guess is a week in the old money,’ Richard began.
‘Day four since I got the bad phone call, and so far today is a pretty good day.’
Richard shared the ‘fantastic’ news that those he has come into contact with recently have tested negative, including his son Christian Wilkins.
‘Christian, my son and his dance partner Lily [Cornish] both [tested] negative so they’re still in business [on Dancing With The Stars], huge relief. I’m so happy when people let me know that they’re negative, it’s great,’ he said.
Ready to make television again: The journalist revealed that he got tested for a second time today, and if the results come back negative, he’s ‘off the books and clear and out of here’
The veteran journalist went on to reveal that he got tested for a second time today, and if the results come back negative, he’s ‘off the books and clear and out of here’.
‘I want to get back to work, make some good television and do something to help some people,’ he said.
Referencing the poor treatment of the elderly at supermarkets, he continued: ‘I hate seeing those pictures of all the old and frail people getting treated like s**t at the supermarkets. I don’t know what or how, but I want to do something about that.’
Richard concluded by thanking his fans for their ‘love’ and said they’re ‘all in this together’.
Making a difference: Referencing the poor treatment of the elderly at supermarkets, he continued: ‘I hate seeing those pictures of all the old and frail people getting treated like s**t at the supermarkets. I don’t know what or how, but I want to do something about that’
Richard tested positive to the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Sunday, despite not feeling any of the symptoms of the virus.
While it’s impossible to know with 100 per cent certainty where Richard caught the virus from, he did ‘briefly’ meet singer Rita Wilson backstage at her Sydney Opera House concert on March 7.
Rita and her husband, actor Tom Hanks, tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday.
As soon as the couple announced their diagnosis, Richard went into self-isolation.
Famous friends: Richard ‘briefly’ met singer Rita Wilson (pictured) backstage at her Sydney Opera House concert on March 7. Rita and her husband, actor Tom Hanks, tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday
On Monday this week, Richard fought back tears when he spoke about his shock diagnosis on the Today show from his home.
He told hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon that he felt ‘guilty and embarrassed’ by the fact he may have passed the deadly virus onto others.
Richard, who was speaking via FaceTime, said he was feeling ‘surprisingly very well’ and hadn’t yet experienced any symptoms.
Shocked: On Monday, Richard fought back tears when he spoke about his shock diagnosis on the Today show from his home. He told hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon that he felt ‘guilty and embarrassed’ by the fact he may have passed the deadly virus onto others
‘I’m surprisingly very well. Look, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I [found out]. It took me a couple of minutes to reel from the news,’ he said.
‘I don’t have a sore throat, I don’t have a runny nose and I don’t have a headache. Maybe I’m going to get sick tomorrow? I’m almost waiting for something to happen. If I can say anything to anybody, it’s that if this is what it’s like, so far so good.’
As of Thursday March 19, there are 710 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, and six deaths.
Update: As of Thursday March 19, there are 710 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, and six deaths