American comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres revealed on Thursday that she had tested positive for the coronavirus, but “feeling fine”.
“I want to let you all know that I tested positive for Covid-19. Fortunately, I’m feeling fine right now,” she said in a post on her verified Twitter account.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 10, 2020
DeGeneres, 62, also added that all her close contacts have already been notified so they can get themselves checked and quarantined if possible.
Her popular daytime show “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” was following all health guidelines and protocols issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the host.
A spokesperson for Telepictures said production on the program will pause until January, with repeat episodes broadcasting until that time.
DeGeneres has welcomed both in-person and virtual guests on her show since the pandemic started in the US. Her audience was fully remote until October, when the show began hosting a limited studio audience.
DeGeneres joins a list of numerous high-profile names in the US entertainment industry who tested positive for the virus. Actors Tom Hanks and Hugh Grant, along with singers Kanye West and Gloria Estefan are among those who have been diagnosed with the virus or have suffered symptoms.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is filmed in the Los Angeles area which this week re-imposed restrictions on household gatherings and shut down indoor and outdoor dining amid a surge of coronavirus cases.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s regional stay-at-home order affects five regions with less than 15% availability at intensive care units. The new COVID-19 restrictions last for three weeks then are assessed weekly going forward as the state tries to slow the spread of surging coronavirus cases.
Failure to comply with the orders may be punishable by fine and as a misdemeanor, revocation of a business license or court-imposed penalties, the state said.
California has recorded 1.4 million cases so far, and 20,522 deaths. The Los Angeles county accounts for 475,000 of those cases.
The US in general now has 15.6 million cases, and the numbers of cases and deaths are rising by the minute.
