Ellen DeGeneres announces she has coronavirus

Daytime talk show has been paused until January

Ellen DeGeneres has announced she has Covid-19.

The TV host shared the news on social media on Thursday.

“I want to let you all know that I tested positive for Covid-19,” she said.

“Fortunately, I’m feeling fine right now. Anyone who has been in close contact with me has been notified, and I am following all proper CDC guidelines.”

DeGeneres told viewers she’ll see them again “after the holidays” and told them to “stay healthy and safe”.

A spokesperson for Telepictures, one of the production companies for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, told The Independent that the programme has been paused until January.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show became one of the first programmes to bring back a live studio audience in October this year. At the time, representatives for the daytime talk show told The Independent at the time that 40 audience members would be allowed in the studio in person, along with 70 virtual members.

The programme hired a Covid compliance officer, introduced on the air by DeGeneres to viewers, and said it would follow all health and safety protocols and guidelines. In-person audience members have been seen all wearing masks and sitting apart from one another.

DeGeneres has welcomed a mix of in-person and remote guests on the show. There was no immediate suggestion that DeGeneres contracted Covid from a guest on her show, or that any contracted it from being in contact with her.

On 9 December, former Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr joined her in the studio. He was interviewed by DeGeneres and sang the song “Last Christmas”.

A segment on 8 December featured two teachers, also in the studio, playing a game of “Two Truths and a Lie”. DJ Stephen “tWitch” Boss also appeared in that segment. On 7 December, DeGeneres welcomed a family of six in the studio to gift them two cars.

Actor Bryan Cranston was present in the studio on 4 December. Cranston contracted Covid-19 in March and has spoken of the virus’s long-term effects.