Ellen DeGeneres has confirmed that she is taking a short break from The Ellen DeGeneres Show after testing positive for COVID-19.
The talk-show host shared the update on Twitter and Instagram, writing that she will be back on air “after the holidays”.
“I want to let you all know that I tested positive for COVID-19,” she 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.”
She later shared a further update on Instagram in the form of a photo of herself lying on some cushions and hugging her pet dog, writing: “Thank you for all of your sweet messages. They’re helping a lot. Wally is helping too”.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show has faced a wave of controversy this year after reports emerged over the summer that a number of current and former employees working on the show had experienced racism, fear and intimidation behind the scenes.
The show underwent an investigation following the reports and three producers were let go from their roles, with DeGeneres herself stating during a video conference that Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman and Jonathan Norman would not return to the show.
Host DeGeneres publicly addressed the claims in September when she returned to the talk show after a break from the studio caused by the pandemic. The host said that she took the allegations “very seriously” and apologised to “the people who were affected”.
“I know that I am in a position of privilege and power, and I realise that with that, comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show,” she said.