Dr. Ciara Kelly has spoken to the Joe Duffy Show on RTÉ, to confirm that she has been diagnosed with Covid-19.

The broadcaster had begun to feel unwell over the weekend. A paramedic called to her house on Sunday morning to carry out a test.

"A lovely paramedic fully dressed in a hazmat suit came to my home on Sunday morning and swabbed my throat and nose,” she told Joe Duffy. "Then I got the call from public health at about 6pm last night to say that I had it."

The doctor, who broadcasts a show every day on RTE rival Newstalk, sounded relatively calm – and sanguine about the news.

"I have a cough and over the weekend my chest was tight and my breathing wasn't great,” she told Joe Duffy. "I had a burning feeling that's what made me think I might have it.”

Unfortunately, her instinct proved to be correct.

Ciara, who was interviewed in depth by Hot Press in the recent past, is one of the most impressive of the latest wave of broadcasters to emerge in recent years. She replaced George Hook on the prime Newstalk lunchtime slot between Pat Kenny and Sean Moncrieff, after Hook was sidelined, following comments about rape which were widely deemed to be deeply offensive.

Ciara Kelly is the best-known Irish person to date, to have talked openly to media about her experience of being tested positive with Covid-19.

"It's like having a lousy dose but it is manageable, “ she told Joe Duffy. "I'm a bit miserable, but I'm alright. I have no doubt that I will come out the other side of this.”

Hot Press would like to extend its best wishes and a speedy recovery to Ciara. In a gesture that is typical of her generosity of spirit, she told Joe Duffy that now that she had been diagnosed, she was considering offering her medical services part-time, when she is no longer infectious.

Speed the day.