Ellen DeGeneres was preparing to tape an episode of “Ellen” when she learned she had tested positive for COVID-19.
On Wednesday, DeGeneres opened up about her experience with the novel coronavirus in her first episode back since announcing her positive diagnosis in December.
“Obviously there are a lot of negative things going on so I want to talk about something positive, my COVID test,” the 62-year-old talk show host told her virtual audience.
“I was in hair and makeup, getting my face powdered and my extensions put in, and then my assistant Craig walks in and said, ‘You tested positive for COVID,’ and then everyone around me ran away,” DeGeneres said.
DeGeneres confirmed in early December she had tested positive for COVID. She added Wednesday how she left the studio immediately and began quarantining at home.
“Portia made me sleep in a different room on a different bed because she wanted the race car bed all to herself,” DeGeneres quipped of wife Portia de Rossi.
DeGeneres also delved into greater detail about her COVID-19 experience, revealing she slept 16 hours a day for the first three days and dealt with back spasms on the fourth day.
“I thought I had pulled a muscle or slept weird because I was in a different bed, but it just persisted,” DeGeneres said, noting her doctors prescribed her pain pills and muscle relaxers.
“My back got worse, it felt like I had cracked a rib,” she said. “The doctors, they finally put me on a steroid pack.”
In mid-December, DeGeneres spoke about the “excruciating” back pain she experienced, noting at the time she wasn’t aware it could be a coronavirus symptom.
“It’s the only symptom I had,” DeGeneres said Wednesday. “I didn’t have a headache, I didn’t have a fever, I didn’t lose my sense of taste. Although I did wear crocs with socks for a day so you be the judge.”
As to how DeGeneres contracted coronavirus remains a mystery, however.
“The weird thing is, I don’t know where I got it,” DeGeneres said, adding how she wears a mask.
With COVID-19 cases continuing to surge, DeGeneres said her heart goes out to all of those affected.
“I know a lot of people out there are struggling with this illness right now, my heart goes out to all of them. As always, I hope this show will give you some joy, brighten your day,” she said.
