Entertainment

Richard Wilkins is slammed for using FOUR coronavirus test kits in two weeks


Richard Wilkins has been tested for coronavirus 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.

The Weekend Today host, 65, has been in self-isolation since announcing his first positive test on March 15. Despite his diagnosis, he is yet to show any symptoms.

'I'm just doing as I'm instructed:' Richard Wilkins has hit back at critics who say he shouldn't have been tested for coronavirus four times in two weeks

‘I’m just doing as I’m instructed:’ Richard Wilkins has hit back at critics who say he shouldn’t have been tested for coronavirus four times in two weeks

‘Stop using all the tests up please. There is not enough tests to go around. Stay inside longer, you’re not that special,’ one critic wrote. 

Richard responded to the follower by saying he was just following doctor’s orders. 

‘Just doing as I’m instructed,’ he wrote. 

Outraged: After Richard shared a picture to Instagram of himself being tested last week, his followers accused him of 'using up' testing kits

Outraged: After Richard shared a picture to Instagram of himself being tested last week, his followers accused him of ‘using up’ testing kits

Another person 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. 

Doing the right thing: Richard responded by saying he was just following doctor's orders

Doing the right thing: Richard responded 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 won’t be leaving his home until he has been given the all-clear. 

The entertainment reporter also slammed regulations that allow asymptomatic patients to interact with others, calling the advice ‘irresponsible’. 

Having his say: Richard said last week that he didn't want to use too many testing kits because doing so would 'soak up resources'

Having his say: Richard said last week that he didn’t want to use too many testing kits because doing so would ‘soak up resources’ 

‘The suggestion is that days after the last symptom, people should ”assume” that they’re over this thing and “proceed with caution!”‘ he said. 

‘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 that I’m not positive anymore!’

Unimpressed: The entertainment reporter also slammed regulations that allow asymptomatic patients to interact with others, calling the advice 'irresponsible'

Unimpressed: The entertainment reporter also slammed regulations that allow asymptomatic patients to interact with others, calling the advice ‘irresponsible’

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.

‘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.

Contact: While it's impossible to know with 100 per cent certainty where Richard caught coronavirus from, he did 'briefly' meet singer Rita Wilson (left) at her Sydney Opera House concert on March 7. Rita and her husband, actor Tom Hanks (right), tested positive for COVID-19 on March 12. They have since been given the all-clear are now back in the U.S.

Contact: While it’s impossible to know with 100 per cent certainty where Richard caught coronavirus from, he did ‘briefly’ meet singer Rita Wilson (left) at her Sydney Opera House concert on March 7. Rita and her husband, actor Tom Hanks (right), tested positive for COVID-19 on March 12. They have since been given the all-clear are now back in the U.S.

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 midday Tuesday, there are 4,514 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including 19 deaths.

Pandemic: As of midday Tuesday, there are 4,514 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including 19 deaths

Pandemic: As of midday Tuesday, there are 4,514 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, including 19 deaths



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