The fun of a brief selfie with Tom Hanks could have turned sour for several Wollongong women.
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A set of images posted to social media last week at Sydney restaurant Mr Wong showed the group - which includes a Wollongong beautician - with Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson.
Four days after the photos were posted to social media, Hanks announced both he and his wife had tested positive to COVID-19 and were now in isolation at Gold Coast University Hospital.
At this stage, the Mercury understands that all of the women have been tested and one has already been cleared of having coronavirus.
As of Sunday morning, NSW Health had reported there were still no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the region.
Despite this, the health concerns have led to a large number of events in the Illawarra being cancelled or postponed.
The popular Wings Over Illawarra is considering its options, ahead of its show at Shellharbour Airport in May.
"In the interests of public health and the directive of the Federal Government, we are discussing postponement options now and as soon as we have further information we will post it here," a message said on the Wings Over Illawarra Facebook page.
The future of other popular events, such as the Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival - on the April 3 weekend - and the Towradgi Beach Hotel's annual Easter Show - scheduled for April 11 - are unclear.
The latest to be affected is an an event to discuss the importance of having an "enshrined constitutional voice for Australia's indigenous people", due to take place at the Fraternity Club on Thursday night.
The conference has since been postponed to a later date
Also postponed is the annual Brigadoon Highlands Gathering, due to take place in the Southern Highlands on April 4.
This will be rescheduled for sometime in August or September.
Among the local events that have been cancelled is the University of Wollongong's Garden Party, due to take place on March 21.
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