Get well soon, Ellen DeGeneres! The talk show host took to Instagram on Dec. 10 to reveal that she tested positive for COVID-19. Along with sharing her coronavirus diagnosis, she announced that she will be taking a hiatus from her show until after the holidays, while she quarantines in accordance with the CDC guidelines. She also confirmed that people who she’s come into contact with have been informed of her diagnosis.
“I want to let you all know that I tested positive for Covid-19,” Ellen wrote. “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. I’ll see you all again after the holidays. Please stay healthy and safe. Love, Ellen.”
Since September, Ellen has been back in the studio for The Ellen DeGeneres Show. While some of her guests still appear on the show virtually, there have also been a number of celebrity guests in-studio for interviews over the last several weeks. Plus, of course, the producers and other crew members, as well as a limited audience, have been in the building. It has not been confirmed whether or not anyone in this realm has also tested positive.
Unfortunately, Ellen joins a long list of celebrities to receive a positive coronavirus test. While many showed mild or no symptoms, others have been very ill due to the virus. In March, Khloe Kardashian could barely leave her bed for days as she battled the illness, and just weeks ago, Jeremih was in the ICU with COVID. Other stars who had coronavirus include Kanye West, Tom Hanks, Larsa Pippen and many more.
The total death toll from coronavirus in the United States has topped 290,000, and numbers have been rising in recent months. Earlier this week, officials began administering the COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, with older/high-risk individuals, as well as healthcare workers, amongst the first group to receive it.