The global coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt many important events for the film and entertainment industry. For instance, red carpet staple Guiliana Rancic has had to remove herself from hosting duties after testing positive for COVID-19.
E! Online said that the 46-year-old television personality had to miss her usual role as host of the red carpet coverage after she tested positive for COVID-19. The result came about due to her complying to the strict testing guidelines implemented by E! and NBCUniversal.
Speaking via video stream, Rancic shared that the decision to not take part in the award show coverage was not a decision she made lightly. However, testing positive for COVID-19 is an entirely different matter. She also expressed gratitude at discovering her diagnosis early as it stopped her from spreading the disease.
Aside from her, Rancic also revealed that her son Duke and husband Bill also tested positive for COVID-19. That said, she did assure her colleagues that she and her family are taking care of each other and doing well.
The Hollywood Reporter adds that Vivica A. Fox, who was going to co-host alongside Rancic, also had to bow out from hosting duties due to being tested positive for COVID-19 as well. Fox’s statement was read during the pre-show, where she emphasized the importance of following health and safety protocols.
Actress Laverne Cox, E! Style Correspondent Brad Goreski, Nightly Pop co-host Nina Parker, and E! News’ The Rundown host Erin Lim ended up hosting the Emmy Awards pre-show instead.
Rancic and Fox are just the latest entertainment personalities to test positive for COVID-19. For instance, David and Victoria Beckham were also rumored to have tested positive for COVID-19 while partying in secret in Los Angeles as part of the launch of Beckham's football club, Inter Miami.
Celebrities who have confirmed their positive COVID-19 diagnosis include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Antonio Banderas, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, and Bryan Cranston. Cranston, Wilson, and Hanks have all donated their platelets to help in research for a COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 dashboard for Sept. 20, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is now at 30,675,675. There are now 954,417 people that have died from COVID-19.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s update for Sept. 20 puts the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States at 6,748,935 people. Deaths caused by COVID-19 in the United States are now at 198,754 people.