Hoda Kotb’s ‘Today Show’ Absence Finally Explained, but Her Return Is Still Unclear 

Hoda Kotb has been out of her Today Show and Today with Hoda & Jenna hosting duties for more than a week, and we are finally getting a reason as to why. According to her co-host Craig Melvin, the television personality is currently dealing with a “family health matter.”

The update was given during this morning’s taping of The Today Show, with Melvin sitting across from co-hosts Al Roker and Sheinelle Jones.

“As for Hoda, we know a lot of you have been wondering how she’s doing,” he said. “We can tell you that Hoda’s OK. She’s got a family health matter that she has been dealing with, so we look forward to seeing Hoda and Savannah back here at the desk very, very soon.”

While there has been no confirmation on when she will return, Kotb reportedly had a planned absence on Presidents’ Day (Feb. 20). After Kotb remained absent for more than a week, fans began to worry about her whereabouts. On Monday’s (Feb. 27) taping, her co-host Savannah Guthrie simply said, “Hoda’s off today,” but didn’t provide any further explanation.

Despite being out of the office, Kotb has remained active on Instagram, sharing posts with messages like, “She’s magic, that one,” and “Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”

Meanwhile, Guthrie was rushed off the set during Tuesday’s (Feb. 28) episode after testing positive for COVID-19 during the live broadcast. Jones explained to viewers that Guthrie had shown up to work “not feeling great,” before adding, “As soon as we found out [the results], she rushed home to rest up.”

Melvin reminded viewers of the incident during today’s broadcast as he said, “Savannah, she is at home after a positive COVID test yesterday. We are wishing our friend a speedy recovery.”

The Today Show airs on weekdays at 7 a.m. ET on NBC.