NBC's Hoda Kotb off 'Today' show due to family health issue

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, two co-anchors of the NBC News morning show "Today," each were absent Wednesday for health-related reasons, Guthrie having left work early the day before.

"Savannah and Hoda are both off," fellow co-anchor Craig Melvin, 43, told viewers Wednesday morning. "Savannah, she's at home after a positive COVID test yesterday," following bouts with the disease in January and May of last year. "We are wishing our friend a speedy recovery. And as for Hoda, we know a lot of you have been wondering how she’s doing,” following a series of cryptic inspirational Instagram posts. "We can tell you that Hoda’s OK. She’s got a family health matter that she has been dealing with."

He concluded on a positive note, saying, "we look forward to seeing Hoda and Savannah back at the desk here very, very soon."

Neither Guthrie, 51, nor Kotb, 58, have commented publicly on their absences. The latter last appeared live on the show's Feb. 17 episode, according to reports.

Kotb has two young adopted daughters, Haley Joy Kotb, 6, and, Hope Catherine Kotb, who turns 4 in April, that she co-parents with her financier ex-fiance, Joel Schiffman, who himself has a grown daughter, Kyle Schiffman. The couple, who became engaged in November 2019, called off their impending marriage in January 2022.

On Tuesday, Sheinelle Jones had updated viewers on Guthrie's reoccurrence of the disease. “Savannah left early, she wasn’t feeling great, so she took a COVID test," explained Jones, 44. "It came back positive. So, of course, as soon as we found out, she rushed home to rest up. So, Savannah, we love you," Jones said, blowing a kiss. "Wishing you a speedy recovery."

A “Today” representative did not respond to a Newsday request for comment. A spokesperson had told The Associated Press that there was no specific estimate on when either co-anchor might return.