‘I have Corona for life!’ Richard Wilkins reflects on testing positive for the virus three times – and reveals a popular choice of gift from friends
Richard Wilkins returned to his hosting duties on Weekend Today on April 4, after 18 days in self-isolation with COVID-19.
In an interview with The Australian on Sunday, the entertainment reporter revealed that he’s still not shown any symptoms of the virus.
‘I swear on my life, I’ve still not had a runny nose, a headache or a fever. And I’ve not had a Codral or a Nurofen. Not a thing,’ the 65-year-old said.
‘I have Corona for life!’ Richard Wilkins, 65, (pictured) reflected on testing positive three times for the virus in an interview with The Australian on Sunday
Richard also joked that he has ‘Corona for life’ – referring to the eight cases of Corona beer friends had gifted him during his recovery.
Last month, the journalist described the ‘weird feeling’ of being able to leave his house for the first time, after 18 days in self-isolation.
Writing on his Nine blog at the time, Richard said: ‘To step out the front gate and actually feel free, to get in the car and go somewhere, was a weird feeling.
Asymptomatic: ‘I swear on my life, I’ve still not had a runny nose, a headache or a fever. And I’ve not had a Codral or a Nurofen. Not a thing,’ the entertainment reporter said
Hilarious: Richard also joked that he has ‘Corona for life’ – referring to the eight cases of Corona beer friends had gifted him during his recovery
‘For my first proper foray, I actually headed to work at Channel Nine, and on my way back I picked up some groceries from the supermarket,’ he continued.
‘It was nice to be able to do that for myself, after relying on the generosity and thoughtfulness of friends and family, although I think I scared a few people in the deli section at Woolies until I advised them that I has been given the all-clear.’
He said he spent his time in self-isolation by keeping busy and developing a routine, filling his time with having long and deep conversations with friends, which he said was a ‘beautiful by-product’.
Richard self-isolated for 18 days after testing positive for COVID-19 three times.
He announced that he tested negative last month with an Instagram video, where he angrily threw an empty Corona beer box into a bin at his Sydney home.
Healthy: Richard returned to hosting Weekend Today on April 4, after 18 days in self-isolation
In the accompanying caption, he wrote: ‘Coronavirus, you’re outta here! I’ve been cleared to return to work by the incredible team at NSW Health.’
Richard went into self-isolation on March 12 shortly after it was revealed that American actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for coronavirus.
Richard had met Rita twice; once backstage at the Sydney Opera House and once during her Today Extra interview on March 9.
He first tested positive for COVID-19 on March 15 and got the same result for two more tests until Tuesday’s all-clear from NSW Health.
Famous friends: Richard went into self-isolation on March 12 shortly after it was revealed that Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for coronavirus. He is pictured with Rita backstage at the Opera House