Fans have been pretty worried about KJ Apa and his family after it was reported that the Riverdale star’s parents tested positive for coronavirus after visiting him in Los Angeles.
Tupa’i Keneti Apa and Tessa Apa flew to California back in March to support their son at the premiere for his latest movie, I Still Believe. After they got back home in New Zealand, the 22-year-old actor’s father explained that he started feeling “body aches” and that he had a “high temperature,” but that he thought it was “the normal flu or bad cold.” Once a bad cough developed, he decided to get tested.
“I could not breathe at all if I sat up or stood up and this continued and got worse all throughout the week,” he shared with New Zealand outlet Coconet. “Honestly I thought I was going to die. People absolutely need to take this seriously, it’s the worst thing I’ve ever had.”
Tupa’i said that he’s feeling a lot better now, but that he wanted to share his story to show people “the severity of what the virus can do to you, and how crucial it is for [people] to stay in their own bubbles.”
“Each day I’m feeling a little stronger,” he concluded.
For those who missed it, the World Health Organization has reported that more than 859,000 people have contracted the illness so far in over 177 countries resulting in more than 42,000 deaths. Medical professionals have called for “social distancing” to prevent further spreading of the deadly disease, which is defined as “trying to keep yourself away from other people, especially large crowds.” Because of this many events, concerts and festivals have been canceled, including all Broadway plays and sports games. People have been asked to avoid public spaces and isolate themselves during this time.
Feel better, Tupa’i and Tessa!
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