Actor Idris Elba, 47, tests positive for the coronavirus

Actor Idris Elba announced Monday that he has tested positive for coronavirus, but says he has not shown symptoms.

Elba, 47, told his social media followers that he was tested after he discovered he was in close contact with someone else who tested positive, but that he is not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, the disease associated with coronavirus. The actor said he was alerted to the exposure on Friday.

He wrote; "This morning I tested positive for COVID-19. I feel OK, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing. No panic.

"It sucks. Looks, this is serious. Now's the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands."

This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing 👊🏾👊🏾 No panic. pic.twitter.com/Lg7HVMZglZ

— Idris Elba (@idriselba) March 16, 2020

Elba told fans to remain “really vigilant”. He added: “Transparency is probably the best thing for this right now. If you’re feeling ill, or you feel like you should be tested, or if you’ve been exposed, do something about it.”

Elba is the latest high-profile celebrity to announce they've tested positive amid the pandemic, after Oscar-winner Tom Hanks announced that he and his wife Rita Wilson were quarantined in Australia.