Remember how Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson were the first celebrities to reveal they tested positive for COVID-19? Thankfully, the couple, who got infected while in Australia for work, were discharged from the hospital after adequate treatment. However, ever since then they have been under self-isolation.
So while quarantining, Rita conducted her first interview post-coronavirus for the morning episode of CBS’ “The Talk” with Gayle King, reports Fox News. The singer and actress spoke in greater detail about the couple’s symptoms and how their treatment went with the controversial drug chloroquine.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) March 12, 2020
Wilson, 60, opened up about how she was feeling as she and Hanks, battled the novel virus in Australia. She was quoted saying,
“I was very tired. I felt extremely achy. Uncomfortable, didn’t want to be touched and then the fever started. Chills like I’ve never had before. Looking back, I realise I was also losing my sense of taste and smell which I didn’t realise at the time.”
So nice speaking with you today, @GayleKing https://t.co/2uDSlLmgLa
— Rita Wilson (@RitaWilson) April 14, 2020
Wilson said her fever reached its highest temperature nine days after she tested positive. “I think it got close to 102,” she said. The actress revealed she was given chloroquine that helped subside her fever. However, she wasn’t sure if the drug, that has been used to prevent and treat malaria, was the reason her fever went away. Currently, chloroquine is being studied as a possible COVID-19 treatment.
“I can only tell you that I don’t know if the drug worked or if it was just time for my fever to break, but my fever did break,” she explained. “But the chloroquine had extreme side effects.”
The ‘Let Me Be’ singer said she felt completely nauseous and suffered from vertigo after being treated with chloroquine. She mentioned that she couldn’t walk and her muscles felt very weak, reports Business Standard. The star added, “I think people have to be very considerate about that drug. We don’t really know if it’s helpful in this case.”
The ‘Angel of Morning’ songstress admitted that her husband experienced milder symptoms. She said,
“He didn’t have as high of a fever. He did not lose his sense of taste or smell, but it still took us the same time to get through it.”
The pair reportedly spent five days in a hospital in Queensland before staying in isolation for weeks. Following their recovery, the couple was spotted for the first time at their Los Angeles home. Wilson also mentioned that the duo isn’t sure how they contracted the virus but they were both exposed to it “at the same time.”
Recently, the singer shared a rendition of Naughty By Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” which was an instant hit. She said, “I think that music is healing and so if something is giving someone comfort or peace, I’m thankful to be a part of it, really.”
Wilson also mentioned that every stream of money raised with this song will be distributed into the COVID-19 relief fund. Well, we’re glad to hear that the actress and her husband are doing well and are home safely.