Richard Wilkins has revealed that he’ll be leaving self-isolation in coming days, after battling coronavirus.
The 65-year-old Channel Nine star filmed an update video for fans on Tuesday, on day 19 of quarantine, and said he ‘can’t wait’ to get back outside.
It comes after the entertainment journalist was slammed by fans for ‘using up’ testing kits for the deadly virus, having been tested four times in two weeks.
The Weekend Today host has been in self-isolation since announcing his first positive test on March 15. Despite his diagnosis, he is yet to show any symptoms.
He’s back: Richard Wilkins (pictured) revealed on Tuesday that he’ll be leaving self-isolation in coming days after battling coronavirus… after being slammed for using four testing kits in two weeks despite having no symptoms
‘Day 19 of quarantine or self-isolation for me since I’ve first tested positive to the old coronavirus,’ Richard said in a clip shared on his Instagram story.
‘I’m planning on getting out of here today or tomorrow. Can’t wait. Just doing something I’ve been putting off for years in actual fact. Last little chore around the house, tidying up the shed,’ he said.
He added in part of the clip: ‘I’ll see you on the outside world again soon. Thanks for all the beautiful messages and things… lots of love, one and all.’
Backlash: Richard has been tested for COVID-19 four times in two weeks, sparking a wave of criticism on social media
Richard has been tested for COVID-19 four times in two weeks, sparking a wave of criticism on social media.
After Richard shared a picture to Instagram of himself being tested last week, his followers accused him of ‘using up’ testing kits.
‘Stop using all the tests up please. There is not enough tests to go around. Stay inside longer, you’re not that special,’ one person wrote.
Richard responded to the follower by saying he was just following doctor’s orders.
‘Just doing as I’m instructed,’ he wrote.
Furious: After Richard shared a picture to Instagram of himself being tested last week, his followers accused him of ‘using up’ testing kits
Another fan asked: ‘Why is it that you have been tested three times, yet there is a shortage of test kits for COVID-19 worldwide, including Australia?’
A third follower unfairly accused Richard of being tested four times because of his celebrity status.
‘You can get tested three times but they won’t test the average person showing symptoms?’ they wrote.
Hitting back: Richard responded to the follower by saying he was just following doctor’s orders
Richard said last week that he didn’t want to use too many testing kits because doing so would ‘soak up resources’.
He added that he wouldn’t be leaving his home until he had been given the all-clear.
The entertainment reporter also slammed regulations that allow asymptomatic patients to interact with others, calling the advice ‘irresponsible’.
‘The suggestion is that days after the last symptom, people should “assume” that they’re over this thing and “proceed with caution!”‘ he said.
Speaking out: Richard said last week that he didn’t want to use too many testing kits because doing so would ‘soak up resources’. The entertainment reporter also slammed regulations that allow asymptomatic patients to interact with others, calling the advice ‘irresponsible’
‘I find this totally unacceptable and irresponsible! I completely understand the fact that the last thing the health department wants to do is spend days retesting people like me and God knows that I don’t want to soak up resources.
‘But I don’t see how I can walk out my front door until I have a clean bill of health! I know the health system is fighting a huge battle and resources are stretched, but in clear conscience I can’t put others at risk until I’m assured I’m not positive anymore.’
A NSW Health spokesperson said earlier this week that people with the virus can leave self-isolation after 10 days, but only if they have been symptom-free for at least three days.
Close call: While it’s impossible to know with 100 per cent certainty where Richard caught coronavirus 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 on the Gold Coast on March 12
‘For confirmed cases with mild illness, they can now be released from self-isolation if at least 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms and there has been resolution of all symptoms of the acute illness for the previous 72 hours,’ the spokesperson said.
They added that follow-up testing is now only required for healthcare workers. Previously, two negative tests were required for all cases.
While it’s impossible to know with 100 per cent certainty where Richard caught coronavirus 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 on the Gold Coast on March 12. They have since been given the all-clear are now back in the U.S.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there are 4,559 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including 19 deaths.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Nine for comment, in relation to this article.
Pandemic: As of Tuesday afternoon, there are 4,559 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including 19 deaths