Coronavirus crisis: Channel 7’s Sunrise studio undergoes deep clean after employee tests positive for COVID

The Channel Seven Sunrise studio has had to undergo a deep clean after a crew member tested positive for the virus yesterday.

The staff member was working at the building in Sydney’s Martin Place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but is double vaccinated and does not reside in a COVID hotspot area.

They were immediately tested after being identified as a close contact of a case.

The Sunrise studio was deep cleaned overnight.

“Hello and welcome to Friday everyone! We join you after a COVID scare of our own overnight,” host Natalie Barr told viewers this morning.

“The studio here has been deep cleaned after a staffer tested positive. We have all been tested, everyone here is OK.”

Barr said that news presenter Edwina Bartholomew has been identified as a close contact and must isolate for 14-days, regardless of her test result.

“Eddy is a close contact so she’s isolating but she’s OK though,” Barr said.

“And (David) Kochie was already having the day off today.”

This morning, Angie Asimus filled in for the news slot and Michael Usher sat in the co-host chair.

Seven has set up a rapid antigen testing station for employees who have been unable to work from home during the NSW outbreak.

Media services have been designated as “essential” and can operate during the lockdown.

“Seven’s number one priority is the health, safety and welfare of all staff and the community,” Seven said.

Barr, Koch and reporter Mark Beretta are fully vaccinated.

Bartholomew, who is pregnant with her second child, has had one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

It comes after NSW recorded 1029 new COVID infections yesterday and three deaths — an unwanted daily record.