Game of Thrones & The Witcher Star Kristofer Hivju Confirms Coronavirus Diagnosis

Kristofer Hivju, best known for his roles on Game of Thrones and The Witcher, has tested positive for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, making him the latest notable name to come down with the virus which has paralyzed much of the industrialized world. Hivju, who played Tormund Giantsbane in the long-running HBO series, had just joined The Witcher recently -- weeks before the production was shut down due to concerns over the spread of the virus. Nearly all TV and film productions have ground to a halt over the last couple of weeks, leaving the entertainment world in chaos as theaters close down and box office numbers plummet.

Hivju announced his diagnosis on social media. The revelation follows similar announcements by Tom Hanks and Idris Elba.

You can see it below.

View this post on Instagram

Greetings from Norway! Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, Corona virus. My familiy and I are self-isolating at home for as long as it takes. We are in good health - I only have mild symptoms of a cold. There are people at higher risk for who this virus might be a devastating diagnosis, so I urge all of you to be extremely careful; wash your hands, keep 1,5 meters distance from others, go in quarantine; just do everything you can to stop the virus from spreading. Together we can fight this virus and avert a crisis at our hospitals. Please take care of each other, keep your distance, and stay healthy! Please visit your country's Center for Disease Control's website, and follow the regulations for staying safe and protecting not just yourselves, but our entire community, and especially those at risk like the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions. @grymolvaerhivju #fightcorona #solidarity #takecare #folkehelseinstituttet Thanks to @panoramaagency

A post shared by Kristofer Hivju (@khivju) on Mar 16, 2020 at 1:48pm PDT

Celebrities, of course, are far from the only ones impacted, but since film productions, premieres, and other social events attended by the rich and famous tend to draw pretty large crowds, they are certainly at higher risk of contracting anything, including COVID-19.

Film and TV studios are struggling to respond to the pandemic. While productions have by and large shut down, some releases are being pushed to digital early, and it seems likely that TV ratings and home streaming numbers will spike as more Americans are quarantined at home with nowhere to go.