Sunrise co-host David Koch tests positive for Covid after Australia Unites telethon

Sunrise co-host David Koch has tested positive for Covid-19, raising fears of a fresh outbreak at the Australia Unites appeal telethon on Saturday night.

Sunrise co-host David “Kochie” Koch has tested positive for Covid-19.

The Channel 7 star, 66, was absent from Sunrise on Monday morning as Confidential understands he was diagnosed with the virus on Sunday, after attending Saturday’s flood appeal telethon.

“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,” Koch said in a statement.

Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and David Koch, who tested positive to Covid on Sunday. Picture: Julian Andrews

The TV host followed all mandatory protocols and underwent a rapid test prior to filming Australia Unites in Sydney.

The initial test came back negative however a follow-up test the following day came back positive.

Fears of an outbreak at Australia Unites have been slightly eased as no other attendees have tested positive for Covid-19 at this stage.

David Koch with Sylvia Jeffreys and Dr Chris Brown at Australia United flood appeal telethon in Sydney on Saturday night.

Channel 9 presenter Sylvia Jeffreys was not affected and returned to work on Today Extra on Monday morning.

“Sylvia is on-air and has been tested. All our people get regularly tested and of course if they have any symptoms don’t come to work,” a Channel 9 spokesman said.

Dr Chris Brown has also tested negative.

The Red Cross Flood Appeal raised over $25 million for victims in NSW and Queensland.