The Covid infection caps a dismal end to a horror 2020 for DeGeneres, whose show was plagued by allegations of bullying.
The allegations of workplace bullying included claims of a "toxic" workplace environment, accounts of intimidation, racism and unjust termination.
The clams led to an investigation and the departure of several staff.
An internal investigation was carried out as a result.
DeGeneres apologised after the bullying allegations were made public - but even that was slammed as being the "worst non-apology ever".
The Ellen Show used to be the talk show every celebrity wanted to appear on, but not anymore.
"I wouldn't set up anyone on her show right now to do anything that could possibly cause them more negative headlines," a publicist told Buzzfeed.
"You have to tread so carefully with your clients and your clients' reputations, so you don't want to put your client in any line of fire sympathising with someone that any community or anyone would feel bad about.
"We're not going to align anyone with Ellen," the publicist said.
Top producers at The Ellen Show have since asked for help from more junior producers in a desperate bid to keep the programme interesting.
"For the first time, everyone was starting to ask us, 'If you have an idea, tell us because we will listen. If you have an idea for a celeb, even if they're not A-list or famous, we'll take anyone who will bring us numbers and eyeballs,'" a current employee told Buzzfeed.
"That's when they started to be real with us and essentially said, 'Give us anything because we need help.' Our old strategy doesn't work anymore."
Celebrities aren't the only ones who are wary of being aligned with Ellen right now.
Advertisers are no longer rushing to sponsor the programme which has made the show's annual "12 Days of Giveaways" promotion particularly difficult this year.
"In a typical year, '12 Days of Giveaways' is huge," a current producer told Buzzfeed. "Everyone wants to be in the audience. Everyone wants the gifts. And so we line up all these crazy sponsors, and people love it.
"But this year, our '12 Days' is more condensed. We don't have as many sponsors," they said, adding that the pandemic is not the only thing to blame.
After Ellen's on-air apology in September, brand and reputation management expert Eric Schiffer told Australia's news.com.au that the talk show (which is contracted until 2022) could only survive if viewers started trusting the host again.
"What she said is enough to move past the scandal for many," he said. "But now she has to prove with her actions that she is capable of change by treating people around her with respect, and it will be up to the audience to see if it's sincere. If not, her career with end in spontaneous combustion."
While ratings for all talk shows are down in the US right now, The Ellen Show's ratings have dropped the most, suggesting that perhaps that trust hasn't been regained so far.
She welcomed back live audiences for filming in October, though the group was limited to 40 people and they had to wear masks.
Attendees also had to pass health screenings.
