Hoda Kotbhas been taking a break from her anchoring duties on theTodayshow to focus on a “family health issue,” her colleagues revealed on Wednesday.
The Emmy-winning journalist — who co-anchorsTodaywithSavannah Guthrie, as well as co-hosts the NBC daytime show’s fourth hour alongsideJenna Bush Hager— has been absent from live airways since Feb. 17, though did appear in a pre-tapped episode ofToday with Hoda and Jennathat aired on President’s Day, Feb. 20.
Until Wednesday, her leave hasn’t been explained to viewers, Guthrie and company simply saying she was “out.” Members from theTodayfamily, includingCraig MelvinandSheinelle Jones, have been filling in beside Guthrie.
Guthrie herself had tostep away while tapingon Tuesday morning after testing positive for coronavirus.
Wednesday’s episode saw Melvin and Jones leading the show. At the 7:30 a.m. mark, Melvin provided more context into how Kotb and Guthrie were doing.
Nathan Congleton/NBC/Getty
“We mentioned that Savannah and Hoda are both off. Savannah, she’s home after a positive COVID test yesterday. We are wishing our friend a speedy recovery,” he said. “And as for Hoda, we know a lot of you have been wondering how she’s doing. We can tell you that Hoda’s okay. She’s got a family health matter that she’s been dealing with, so we look forward to seeing Hoda and Savannah back at the desk real, real soon.”
“We love you both,“Todayweatherman Al Roker added.
Despite her absence, Kotb has beenactive on social media, sharing inspirational and encouraging messages.
“Choose hope,” a message on Monday read, while on Sunday she shared, “Sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts.”
“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them,” Kotb’s post on Feb. 24 read. “I see you… you strong women ❤️,” Kotb added.
Other posts over the past week have been about how “dark clouds” move on, while one pointedly showed a child figure being told, “One day you will see just how brave you have been.”
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb.Jamie McCarthy/Getty
As for Guthrie, viewers saw her leave in real time on Tuesday morning’s show.
“By the way, it has been an interesting morning for us,” Jones told viewers halfway through the broadcast. “As we said, Savannah left early, she wasn’t feeling great, so she took a COVID test. It came back positive.”
Jones added, “So, as soon as we found out, she rushed home to rest up. So Savannah, we love you, wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Back in January, Roker returned toTodayafter his own health crisis. He had been absent for two months as he went through alife-threatening health crisis.
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It was love that was not lost on Roker. “I have missed you guys so very much,” he remarked. “You are my second family and it’s just great to be back — and wearing pants! It’s so much fun.”
“My heart is just bursting,” he said. “I’m just so thrilled to see all of you and the crew. Right now I’m running on adrenaline.”
Todayairs weekdays beginning at 7 a.m. on NBC.
source: people.com
