Mel Gibson hospitalised for a week with coronavirus after diagnosis in April

Mr Gibson has since recovered from his coronavirus infection
Getty Images
David Child24 July 2020
The Weekender

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Hollywood star Mel Gibson spent a week in hospital battling coronavirus earlier this year, it has been revealed.

The 64-year-old actor - who is based in Los Angeles, California - was treated for Covid-19 after testing positive for the virus in April.

Mr Gibson's condition at the time was kept private and he has since recovered, his representative confirmed.

"He tested positive in April and spent a week in the hospital," Mr Gibson's representative told Australia's Daily Telegraph.

Mel Gibson - In pictures

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"He was treated with the drug Remdesivir, while in the hospital, and has tested negative numerous times since then as well as positive for the antibodies," the representative added.

Remdesivir is an anti-viral drug that was developed for use against Ebola.

It has been approved for use in Covid-19 patients by the US and the UK, among other countries, after data suggested it can cut recovery time by about four days.

The US has bought nearly all the next three months' projected stock of the drug from US manufacturer Gilead.

Mr Gibson's struggle with Covid-19 marks the latest instance of a high-profile celebrity having been affected by the pandemic.

US star Tom Hanks, Luther actor Idris Elba and musician Pink have all contracted coronavirus in recent months.

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