COVID scare hits the Sunrise set
A major COVID-19 scare has hit the Sunrise team after it was realised a crew member tested positive for the virus.
Co-host Natalie Barr opened Friday morning’s breakfast program by informing viewers that Edwina Bartholomew was a “close contact” of the positive case.
As a result, she was being forced to self-isolate at home.
Channel 7 confirmed the positive case of an employee on Thursday, saying it came from someone working at Sunrise’s Martin Place, in Sydney offices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The staff member is fully vaccinated and doesn’t live in a hotspot.
Natalie and Michael on the set of Sunrise. Image: Channel 7
They tested after they were identified as a close contact of another case.
“Hello and welcome to Friday. A Covid scare of our own overnight, we join you after a staffer tested positive,” Barr began alongside co-host Michael Usher.
“The studio has been deep cleaned. We’ve all been tested.
“Eddy (Bartholomew) is a close contact so she’s isolating but is all right. And Kochie (David Koch) was already having the day off so Michael is here.”
Bartholomew later interviewed on the show, telling her fellow co-hosts that she tested negative but would still have to quarantine for 14 days.
“It was a huge fright. Huge fright,” Bartholomew said.
“It was such a sleepless night. If I had it, my husband would have it, he has chronic fatigue, my daughter would have it.
“The thought that I would infect the rest of my family with this hideous, hideous condition was just so scary.”
Deep clean of the Sunrise Headquarters. Image: Channel 7
Channel 7 has set up a rapid antigen testing station for employees who have been unable to work from home.
“Seven’s number one priority is the health, safety and welfare of all staff and the community” the network said in a statement.
Barr is fully jabbed, as well as Koch and Sunrise sports presenter Mark Beretta.
Bartholomew, who is pregnant with her second child, has had just one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.