I’m lucky I survived coronavirus, pay attention Africa – Idris Elba

English actor and producer Idris Elba has said he was lucky to have survived COVID-19 and called on Africans to pay more attention to the deadly virus by adhering to safety protocols.

The actor announced in a video that went viral on social media in March 2020 that he had tested positive for coronavirus.

Although the 47-year-old said he had not showed any symptoms for the virus, his test results came out positive.

In another viral video, the actor who is of Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean descent, advised Africans to pay attention to the pandemic, as the world cannot afford for it to take more lives.

Idris Elba said: “Sierra Leone and Ghana is where my heritage is from, my mum and my dad, but this message is for all of Africa, please pay attention, OK. COVID-19, coronavirus is real serious, it’s a world pandemic. And we can’t afford for it to be taking more lives, not around the world and not in Africa. Certain places around the world are more suited to deal with this and certain parts of Africa are not.”

He added: “It is really important that you stay at home, it is important that you pay attention, listen to the authorities, avoid big gatherings; this is a very contagious disease and people are dying from it."

"Please, please, please, take it from me, I feel like a survivor because I’ve survived it but I was lucky. Please let’s not let this happen in Africa. Wash your hands, avoid groups and pay attention.”