Celebrity Celebrity Deaths Celebrity Death Tributes Tony Winner Brian Stokes Mitchell Has Tested Positive for the Coronavirus: 'I've Isolated Myself' "Every day that has passed has been better than the previous," the actor reassured his fans By Claudia Harmata Claudia Harmata Claudia Harmata is a former news writer/reporter at PEOPLE. She left PEOPLE in 2021. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 2, 2020 08:44AM EDT Brian Stokes Mitchell has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). On Wednesday, the Tony Award-winning actor announced the news of his diagnosis in a Twitter video, reassuring fans that he was already beginning to feel better. “Hey friends, family and Stokes folks, I hope you all are well. I’ve been laying low for the last number of days because I could feel my body fighting something unusual, and I just got confirmation that I have indeed tested positive for the coronavirus,” he said in the video. “The good news is, over the last few days I’ve isolated myself, I come to you from the bedroom,” Mitchell added, giving a sweet shout out to wife Allyson Tucker and their son, Ellington, who he said have been “100 percent asymptomatic and really helpful getting me through this.” “I love you guys so much, thank you for everything you’ve been doing for me,” the actor, 62 said. Oregon Man, Believed to Be One of the Oldest Coronavirus Survivors in the World, Turns 104 The Broadway star, who won the Tony for his lead performance in the 1999 musical Kiss Me, Kate, then told fans that he was feeling better each day and that he would continue to share updates. (Mitchell has also earned Tony nominations for his performances in Ragtime, Man of La Mancha and August Wilson’s King Hedley II.) Brian Stokes Mitchell. Santiago Felipe/Getty Images “For the last number of days, 3 or 4, every day that has passed has been better than the previous so I’m pretty sure I’m over the hump right now,” Mitchell said. “I just want to let you know so you don’t worry about me. I’ll have updates for you as well.” Before ending his video, he urged his fans to “take care” and “continue social distancing.” Ali Wentworth Tests Positive for Coronavirus, Says She’s ‘Never Been Sicker’: ‘This Is Pure Misery’ Brian Stokes Mitchell. Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock Several of Mitchell’s friends and fans wished him well upon receiving the news, writing heartwarming comments under his Twitter post. “Oh stokes! Sending healing and strength and love. Please take care of yourself. We love you,” actress Kelli O’Hara wrote. Fellow Tony-nominee Judy Kuhn wrote, “Oh no! Sending you love and healing vibes. Feel better,” while Betty Buckley added, “Dearest Stokes—Sending you so much love & prayers for a speedy recovery. Thanks for sharing this.” As of Thursday morning, there are at least 214,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States and more than 4,800 deaths, according to a New York Times database. As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. To help provide doctors and nurses on the front lines with life-saving medical resources, donate to Direct Relief here.