RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy has said he hopes to return to broadcasting work "soon" after testing positive for Covid-19.
The Late Late Show frontman confirmed yesterday evening that he had tested positive for the potentially deadly disease, but described his overall experience with coronavirus as "unintrusive" and said his main symptom was a "persistent cough".
The star had missed last Friday's Late Late Show, with Miriam O’Callaghan taking over presenting duties. Tubridy has also been temporarily replaced on his RTÉ Radio 1 show by comedian Oliver Callan while he self-isolates and recovers.
"Like so many other people in Ireland, I tested positive, but I was in the very fortunate position to have a very unintrusive experience, which I now have come to the end of," the presenter said.
"While I've been at home watching television and listening to the radio, I have been bowled over by the extraordinary work of our front line heroes and their families who continue to make Ireland a healthier and safer place. I look forward to being back to work really soon."
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Republic's health minister Simon Harris have praised the Private Hospitals’ Association for a new partnership that will see 1,900 beds and 194 ventilators provided to the state in their battle against coronavirus.
The move will see 19 private hospitals leased to the Health Service Executive for public use in the next three months, with an option in place to extend the arrangement if needed.
"It’s all hands on deck in this national effort, and I am very pleased that the private hospitals have agreed to come on board and make their facilities available," Mr Varadkar said yesterday.
"The public and private sectors are tooling up and working together for the common good."
Mr Harris added: "This additional capacity is vital for the health service as we navigate our way through this pandemic."
