Live comedy has been hit by what appears to be a recent increase in Covid cases.

Update 18/3: Nish Kumar is the latest comedian to test positive and postpone shows. He tweeted: "Well. It's happened. Really sorry to GLASGOW, NEWCASTLE, BUXTON & BATH but we're going to have to reschedule due to me losing my vid-ginity. Ticket holders are being contacted, new dates are being arranged! We'll keep WEYMOUTH, EXETER, TORQUAY & BASINGSTOKE posted. I am gutted!"

Update 19/3: Luisa Omielan posted a picture of a positive test on Instagram and wrote: "Apologies to the gigs I was meant to do this weekend, after 2.5 years, it finally got me! #covid"

This follows an number of cases in the last week. On 11/3 Catherine Bohart tweeted: "Unfortunately I've just had a positive covid test and so my remaining shows @sohotheatre and my tour shows in Cambridge and Crawley are having to be postponed. Venues will be in touch ASAP regarding new dates. So sorry everyone - I’ll see you soon x."

On 15/3 Ed Gamble tweeted: "Guys, I’ve got the covid (19). So sorry to say that this week’s shows in Cheltenham, Loughborough, Ipswich & Northampton are postponed until the autumn. You’ll be contacted about the new dates ASAP! Rest of the tour will go ahead as planned as soon as I’ve shaken it off! Thanks x".

Al Murray has had to reschedule some Pub Landlord dates too: "I have just tested positive for Covid which means we need to reschedule this week's shows. DONCASTER CAST @castindoncaster The new date is Sunday 5th June 2022 NOTTINGHAM @RoyalNottingham The new date is Wednesday May 4th 2022 so hold onto your tickets and I’ll see you then."

Fascinating Aida also issued a statement on Tuesday March 15: "We are absolutely gutted to announce that Liza has a lurgy and our performance tonight at the Sands Centre, Carlisle will be postponed until Tuesday 21st June and tomorrow night at the King’s Theatre (16th March) as part of the Glasgow Comedy Festival will be postponed until Saturday 30th July 2022."

And Mock The Week star Rhys James has come down with Covid too. He tweeted: "Genuinely humiliating to contract the novel coronavirus is March 2022. Feel like I just bought a Dreamcast."

Adrian Edmondson has also tweeted about having the virus. He wrote on Saturday night: "Is it the covid raging within me, or is telly worse than usual tonight?"

On 13/3 Capital Theatres announced that Hannah Gadsby's show was not taking place at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre: "We regret to inform you that tonight’s show, @HannahGadsby #BodyOfWork, will not be taking place tonight at the Festival Theatre as planned due to illness. Ticketholders, please hold onto tickets at this time & an update regarding a rescheduled date will be provided this week."

Update 15/3: The first nght of Hannah Gadsby's London Palladium run on Tuesday is also no longer taking place. A statement said: "We regret to inform you that Hannah Gadsby’s show at the Palladium on Tuesday 15th March 2022 will not be taking place as planned due to illness and has been postponed to Monday 5th December at Theatre Royal Drury Lane."

And Charmian Hughes also has Covid. As does After Life star Tony Paul Way.

And it is not just comedy legends that seem to be falling ill. The Dancing On Ice Twitter account wrote: "Unfortunately, Holly Willoughby is unable to host tonight's show after testing positive for Covid-19. Tonight's #DancingOnIce Semi-Final will be hosted by Phillip Schofield and we look forward to Holly returning for our Live Final @hollywills @Schofe."

The BBC has reported that Covid infections are increasing across the UK with about one in 25 people infected, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).