Coronavirus: Fans fear for Olivia Newton-John after she met reporter who tested positive after contact with Rita Wilson

Given the 71-year-old 'Grease' star's cancer history, Olivia could be at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19
Olivia Newton-John, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson (Getty Images)
Olivia Newton-John, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson (Getty Images)

The 71-year-old Olivia Newton-John may have been exposed to coronavirus last week after she spent some time with an Australian reporter who has since tested positive for the virus. 

Given the 'Grease' star's cancer history, Olivia could be at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Olivia was interviewed by 65-year-old reporter Richard Wilkins on Tuesday, March 10, only a day after he had come into contact with Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson who tested positive for the virus on Thursday, March 12. 

Wilkins had briefly met Wilson on March 9, according to Channel Nine. Wilkins ended up testing positive for the virus as Wilson and her husband Hanks tested positive for the COVID-19 on Thursday. 

On Sunday, March 15, Wilkins took to Twitter to share, "Sincere thanks for all the messages... I really appreciate it. It's actually a bizarre feeling to have tested positive to this thing we've all been talking about. I feel 100 percent... no symptoms at all!"

Those most at risk for major complications from coronavirus include those who are older than 70 years, those who have low immune systems and those who have underlying health conditions. Cancer survivors could have some long-term immune deficits and may be at risk for serious diseases. 

Olivia had first been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and then for a second time in 2013. She chose to keep the illness private until 2018 when she revealed that she was battling cancer for the third time.

She had previously shared with the Daily Telegraph, "My tumors are receding or they're going away or they're staying the same, on Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer - that's pretty amazing." She had also spoken to Daily Mail and shared that she was "getting stronger and better all the time."

"I am winning over it and living with it well. I don't think about it a lot, to be honest. Denial is a wonderful thing. I am getting stronger and better all the time," she revealed.

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