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Sunrise host David ‘Kochie’ Koch tested positive to Covid-19 just one day after mingling with other top TV personalities at the Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal telethon – leading to fears the celebrity-packed fundraiser could become a super-spreader event.
The 66-year-old spent Saturday night in Sydney manning the phones with stars from Seven, Nine and Ten, potentially exposing them to the highly infectious virus.
While Koch had tested negative that afternoon before the telethon kicked off, he woke up feeling ‘shaggy’ the next morning and returned a positive result.
Bad timing: Sunrise host David ‘Kochie’ Koch (pictured) tested positive to Covid-19 just one day after mingling with other top TV personalities at the Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal telethon – leading to fears the fundraiser could become a super-spreader event
He said in a statement: ‘I tested negative on Saturday lunchtime ahead of the Australia Unites broadcast but then woke up feeling a bit shaggy on Sunday morning, which I initially put down to the late finish and sharing the bottle of red wine that Sylvia [Jeffreys] and Dr Chris [Brown] insisted we share (that’s my version and I’m sticking with it).’
‘But then I tested again and it came in positive. Symptoms are mild and I’m following the health orders,’ he added.
Koch was leading Seven’s contingent at the telethon, alongside fellow Sunrise anchor Natalie Barr and Dancing with the Stars host Sonia Kruger.
Joining them on desk duties were Channel Nine stalwarts Scott Cam, Sylvia Jeffreys, Ben Fordham and Peter Overton.
Oh, dear: While Koch (left) had tested negative on Saturday afternoon before the telethon kicked off, he woke up feeling ‘shaggy’ the next morning and returned a positive result. He is seen at the event with Nine’s Sylvia Jeffreys (centre) and Ten star Dr Chris Brown (right)
Helping hands: Ben Fordham (left), Amanda Keller (centre) and Natalie Barr (right) all pitched in to help raise much-needed funds for flood victims at the televised charity event
Carrie Bickmore, Dr Chris Brown, Amanda Keller and Osher Günsberg also stepped up from Channel 10 to join the hosting ensemble.
Koch did not return to Sunrise on Monday and will be off work for another week.
Nine confirmed on Monday that Jeffreys, who co-hosts morning show Today Extra, had tested negative for Covid following the telethon.
Too close for comfort? Nine and 2GB presenter Ben Fordham (left) posted this picture of himself getting friendly with TV personality Grant Denyer (right) at Saturday’s telethon
Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal aired on Channel Nine, Channel Seven and Network Ten on Saturday night.
The event saw the country’s three major commercial networks forget about their traditional rivalries for a night of philanthropy.
The appeal was a smash hit with $25,249,796 raised by just after midnight.
Star power: While most of the event was hosted live from Sydney, several Aussie A-listers appeared on the broadcast via video link, including Hugh Jackman (pictured)
There for them: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban also appeared via video link
While most of the event was hosted live from Sydney, several Aussie A-listers appeared on the broadcast via video link, including Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.
Delta Goodrem also called in from her Bridge Over Troubled Dreams tour in Brisbane, alongside her support act Sheppard.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Seven, Nine and Ten for further comment.
Money raised will assist volunteer efforts, support those impacted by the floods and help communities recover in Queensland and NSW.
Funds: Money raised by the Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal will assist volunteer efforts, support those impacted by the floods and help communities recover in QLD and NSW
Source: DailyMail
