Tiffany Haddish reveals she tested positive for coronavirus: ‘I’ve been tested 12 times’

Actor and comedian speaks about her experience of being diagnosed with Covid-19 during interview with Dr Anthony Fauci

Sabrina Barr
Sunday 06 September 2020 12:35 BST
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Tiffany Haddish reveals she tested positive for coronavirus

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Kelly Rissman

Kelly Rissman

US News Reporter

Tiffany Haddish has revealed she tested positive for the coronavirus, explaining that she has since undergone 12 tests for the virus.

The actor and comedian recently conducted an interview via video call with physician and immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci, America’s leading expert on infectious diseases.

During their conversation, which was shared on Haddish’s YouTube channel, the Girls Trip star outlined how several months ago, she was working on a film when someone on the production contracted Covid-19, resulting in everyone involved on the project being sent home.

Haddish underwent a coronavirus test at the time, with the results coming back negative. But soon afterwards, the 40-year-old found out that someone else she had been around a week prior had tested positive, so she had another test.

“Get the test the second time, I’m not feeling any symptoms or anything, and it comes back like two days later and they say I did have the coronavirus. But I didn’t feel anything,” she said.

After testing positive for the virus, Haddish remained in her house. “Just me and my dogs, and I practised learning how to do the splits. And now I can do the splits,” she told Dr Fauci.

Following her period of quarantine, Haddish had another test, which came back negative, and also underwent an antibody test, the results of which showed she had antibodies.

“That was like three months ago,” the comedian stated.

Haddish has since had to have multiple coronavirus tests because she has been working, she explained during the interview.

The Like A Boss actor recently underwent another coronavirus test, the results of which were negative. However, she also had another antibody test, which she was surprised to discover showed she didn’t have antibodies, she said.

In response, Dr Fauci explained to Haddish that her antibody levels had decreased “because they probably had a very short half-life”.

“What I can tell you almost for sure Tiffany, is that you have some residual immunity, probably T cells, that have been able to protect you,” the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director said, adding that it is uncertain “how long you’re protected”.

“You should not assume Tiffany that you are completely protected,” he said, advising her to avoid crowds, wear a mask, maintain a distance of approximately six feet from other people and to “wash your hands as frequently as you possibly can”.

Dr Fauci added that “outdoors is always better than indoors”, highlighting that coronavirus particles are “recirculated” in indoor spaces, which is why risk of transmission is greater.

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