Co-anchor exits midshow, tests for COVID
“Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie abruptly exited the morning program mid-broadcast on Tuesday and tested positive for COVID-19.
Sheinelle Jones, who typically co-hosts the third hour of NBC’s “Today” show, informed viewers Tuesday that Guthrie “left early” because she “wasn’t feeling great” before receiving her COVID-19 test results. This marks Guthrie’s third case of the respiratory illness.
“It has been an interesting morning for us,” Jones said around 9 a.m. Eastern time, adding that Guthrie “rushed home to rest up” as soon as her COVID test came back.
“Savannah, we love you. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Guthrie, who has received a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot, previously tested positive for the virus in January 2022, and again in May 2022. The veteran newscaster did not return to the show Tuesday after 7:30 a.m. Eastern.
Also absent from Tuesday’s broadcast was Guthrie’s “Today” co-anchor, Hoda Kotb, who hasn’t appeared live on the show since Feb. 17.
Various NBC News correspondents — including Jones, Craig Melvin, Tom Llamas and Willie Geist — have been filling in for Kotb alongside Guthrie and “Today With Hoda & Jenna” co-host Jenna Bush Hager.
Until Wednesday, Kotb’s mysterious “Today” hiatus had gone unexplained, sparking a wave of confusion and concern among viewers.
On Wednesday on air, Melvin assured viewers that Kotb is “OK.” Melvin explained on air that Kotb has been away dealing with “a family health matter.”
“We know a lot of you have been wondering how she’s doing,” Melvin said while co-anchoring “Today” opposite Jones and Al Roker.