Ellen DeGeneres tests positive for Covid-19 but is 'feeling fine'

Production of the Ellen DeGeneres Show will pause until January

FILE- This Sept. 26, 2011, file photo, originally provided by Warner Bros., shows Ellen DeGeneres during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in Burbank, Calif. The Kennedy Center in Washington is aShow more

Ellen DeGeneres has tested positive for Covid-19.

The chat show host shared the news on Twitter, writing: “I wanted to let you all know that I tested positive for Covid-19. Fortunately, I am feeling fine right now.”

She added that she is following the US government’s Covid guidelines, and has notified everyone that she has been in close contact with. “I’ll see you all again after the holidays. Please stay healthy and safe,” her message concluded.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show will pause production until January, according to a statement from her producers. The show became one of the first to resume filming in-studio in October, with 40 audience members in situ, rather than the usual 300.

The last guest to appear in-person on the show was Hamilton musical actor Leslie Odom Jr, on Wednesday. Other guests to have reportedly been in the studio with her this month included singers Justin Bieber and Lil Nas X, and actors Bryan Cranston and Diane Keaton.

The diagnosis rounds off a tumultuous year for DeGeneres. Over the summer, she faced criticism amid reports that she had created a toxic work environment for her staff.

She kicked off the 18th season of her popular talk show with an apology, addressing the allegations of racism, sexism and bullying made by her employees.

"I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I'm in a position of privilege and power. I realised that with that comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show."