Getty Ellen DeGeneres is ending her talk show after 19 seasons.
Talk show host and television personality Ellen DeGeneres has announced she has tested positive for COVID-19. DeGeneres shared a photo of her announcement on both Twitter and Instagram.
“Hi Everyone, I want to let you all know that I tested positive for Covid-19,” the 62-year-old talk show host wrote in the note she posted on Twitter and Instagram. “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.”
“Please stay healthy and safe,” she added. “Love, Ellen.”
The Ellen DeGeneres Show had been filming without an in-studio audience and with a mix of virtual and in-person celebrity guests when season 18 premiered in September. In October, according to Deadline, the show switched to a hybrid audience, welcoming back an in-studio group capped at 40 masked attendees.
“You’re spaced six feet apart. We’ve got as many of you in here as possible and please when you dance, try not to drift,” DeGeneres told the audience, according to Deadline.
With her COVID-19 announcement on Thursday, DeGeneres did not clarify if or how her show production will continue, but a Telepictures spokesperson told BuzzFeed News that “following Ellen’s announcement this morning, we have paused production on the Ellen DeGeneres Show until January.”
DeGeneres’ Friends Are Wishing Her Well
Since DeGeneres announced her COVID-19 diagnosis, many of her favorite guests and friends have wished her a speedy recovery. Sophia Grace commented, “Get well soon Aunty Ellen.” DeGeneres’ DJ and occasional host tWitch commented, “Love you much Ellen!” YouTuber and friend Kallen Allen wrote, “Get well soon Mama E!”
Television show host Allison Holker wrote, “We love you!! ❤️❤️ Get well.” A close friend and employee to DeGeneres Jeannie Klisiewicz showed her support by commenting, “Love you Ellen ♥️♥️!” The Office actress Ellie Kemper wrote, “❤️❤️❤️”
Fans have also been supporting DeGeneres. “Feel better and speedy recovery we love you,” one fan wrote. Another added, “I’m sorry Ellen. Praying for Portia too.” A fan added, “Get well soon Ellen. Loads and loads n loads of love to you from far off distance but with great intensity, so you heal faster ❤️❤️❤️”
DeGeneres Joins a List of Celebrities Who Have Tested Positive
Since COVID-19 began spreading earlier this year, many celebrities have come forward announcing they’ve contracted the virus. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson made headlines in March when they were some of the first celebrities to announce they had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
On March 16, actor Idris Elba and his wife came next in the line of stars to announce a diagnosis. “Look, this is serious,” he said in a video announcement. “Now’s the time to really think about social distancing, washing your hands.”
Bravo talk show host and producer Andy Cohen shared a positive diagnosis with fans on March 20. Cohen hosts talk show Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. At the time of his announcement, Cohen told fans, “As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we’re putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better. I want to thank all the medical professionals who are working tirelessly for all of us, and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves.”
Some other notable stars who have contracted the virus include Prince Charles, Pink, Todd Chrisley, Chris Cuomo, George Stephanopoulos, Madonna, Mel Gibson, Lena Dunham, Tiffany Haddish, Robert Pattinson, Neil Patrick Harris, Kanye West, Khloe Kardashian, President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Prince William, Hugh Grant, Ben Platt, JoJo Siwa and Kyle Richards, among many others.
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