David Koch tests positive after Red Cross Flood Appeal celebrity telethon

Just one day after the star-studded Red Cross Flood Appeal telethon, Sunrise host David Koch has returned a positive Covid test.

Sunrise host David Koch has tested positive to Covid-19, just one day after rubbing shoulders with some of Australia’s biggest names.

The 66-year-old broadcaster was a special guest at the Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal telethon on Saturday night, which aired on channels 7, 9 and 10.

Leading TV talent manned the phones for the televised fundraiser, including Kochie’s co-host Natalie Barr, Sylvia Jeffreys, Carrie Bickmore, Sonia Kruger, Scott Cam, Grant Denyer, Dr Chris Brown and Ben Fordham, among others.

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David Koch with Sylvia Jeffreys and Dr Chris Brown at Australia United flood appeal telethon. Picture: Instagram

While he tested negative prior to the event, Koch confirmed he woke up on Sunday feeling “shaggy” before returning a positive test that day.

“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 and Dr Chris insisted we share (that’s my version and I’m sticking with it),” he said in a statement.

Scott Cam and Sonia Kruger attended the telethon.

Ben Fordham and Grant Denyer were also in attendance.

“But then I tested again and it came in positive. Symptoms are mild and I’m following the health orders.”

Elsewhere at the telethon, Hollywood A-listers Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and Hugh Jackman called into the telecast via Zoom.

Kochie did not host Sunrise this morning, with Matt Shirvington filling in for him alongside Barr.

He is not expected return to the desk until next week.

Meanwhile the appeal – which saw all local networks unite for a good cause – raised over $25 million, with the money going to volunteers, flood victims and impacted communities in northern NSW and Queensland.