Positive COVID-19 test at Sunrise sends multiple crew members into isolation
Several of Seven’s Sunrise team are in isolation after one crew member tested positive for COVID-19 this week.
Friday’s broadcast went ahead as planned with co-host Natalie Barr opening the program by revealing that news presenter Edwina Bartholomew is one of those isolating.
“Hello and welcome to Friday. We join you after a COVID scare of our own,” Barr said.
Barr also revealed that Michael Usher’s presence on the program as co-host was not because David Koch was a close or casual contact, but that her regular co-host was having an unrelated day off.
Bartholomew is currently pregnant and had her first COVID-19 vaccine this week.
We've had a covid scare of our own overnight!
Brekky Central has been deep cleaned, we've all been tested and @edwina_b is isolating after a staff member tested positive.
Read more: https://t.co/MTEGYr00DA pic.twitter.com/Vg2BEfHtfe
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) August 26, 2021
Executive producer Michael Pell confirmed the news in a tweet.
“A Seven staffer is positive. The team has been tested and is OK. Strict protocols remain in place. The show must go on,” Pell tweeted.
On air with @sunriseon7 after a COVID scare of our own. A Seven staffer is positive. The team has been tested and is OK. Some are isolating. Studio deep-cleaned overnight. Strict protocols remain in place. The show must go on. pic.twitter.com/YVPBVe8pof
— Michael Pell (@MichaelPell) August 26, 2021
Seven confirmed the news in a statement to Mumbrella, revealing that the crew member in question is fully vaccinated and asymptomatic and that there have been no impact on production.
“The staff member has been in self-isolation from the moment they were identified as a close contact and their test results were later confirmed as positive,” a spokesperson said.
“Seven is introducing all precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of all staff, as well as the broader community, and is working to the NSW Health guidelines and all other relevant regulations.
“All close contacts of the staff member have been identified. They have been contacted and advised to get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.
“All casual contacts of the staff member have been identified. They have been contacted and advised to get tested and isolate until a result is received. Our Martin Place centre was deep cleaned on Thursday evening.”
The spokesperson also revealed that all staff at Seven in Martin Place who wish to be tested on-site will be given access to “rapid antigen tests”. For field crews, testing is at the rear of the Eveleigh studios.
“At this time, there is no change to today’s production schedule. We have back-up plans in place should the situation change at all. Seven’s number one priority is the health, safety and welfare of all staff and the community.”
In 2020, members of the ABC News Breakfast crew were forced into isolation after a crew member was exposed to the virus.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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