Talk show host Ellen Degeneres has revealed she’s tested positive for coronavirus late Thursday afternoon.
The 62-year-old tweeted out the news to her to nearly 80 million followers, saying those who she has been in close contact with have already been notified.
“I am following all proper CDC guidelines,” Degeneres said. “I’ll see you all again after the holidays. Please stay healthy and safe.”
Recent guests on DeGeneres’ show included Leslie Odom, Jr., Bryan Cranston, Diane Keaton, Lil Nas X, and Justin Bieber. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, scientists have found that most show no signs of infection until “no longer than 10 days after their symptoms began.”
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” will now go into hiatus until 2021 and the host contracting coronavirus is just the latest in a truly tremulous year. The show returned in September but with no audience after a summer following allegations of harassment from producers of the show.
Former employees came forward to allege the show promoted a toxic, racist, and fearful workplace, and three producers were accused of sexual misconduct. DJ “tWitch” Boss was promoted to executive producer of the show following an internal investigation.
“I’m a pretty good actress,” said DeGeneres at the time. “But I don’t think that I’m that good that I could come out here every day for seventeen years and fool you. This is me. And my intention is to always be the best person I can be. And if I’ve ever let someone down, if I’ve ever hurt their feelings, I am so sorry for that. If that’s ever the case, I’ve let myself down and I’ve let myself down as well.”
DeGeneres’ diagnosis comes as the coronavirus pandemic is re-surging at an even faster rate. As of Thursday morning, the United States had 15.4 million cases and 289,970 deaths. The U.S. reported more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths for the first time Wednesday, that’s more than those who died on 9/11.
