Hoda Kotb missing from the 'Today' show due to a 'family health matter'

Hoda Kotb has been missing from the "Today" show for two weeks due to a "family health matter."

"Today" show co-anchor Craig Melvin explained his colleague's absence Wednesday after heightened concern from viewers.

"A whole lot of you have been wondering how she's doing, we can tell you that Hoda is OK. She's got a family health matter she has been dealing with," Melvin said.

Melvin and Sheinelle Jones sat at the desk during the show's 7 o'clock hour Wednesday, as Savannah Guthrie was also off-air after testing positive for COVID-19 during Tuesday's newscast. Neither Guthrie nor Kotb were on air for Friday's show.

Get all the details about Hoda's return: Hoda Kotb back on 'Today,' says daughter Hope was hospitalized: 'She is back home'

Where is Savannah Guthrie?

On Tuesday, Guthrie began the "Today" show newscast but left after feeling under the weather. After taking a COVID test, Jones said Guthrie " rushed home to rest up."

"She’s at home after a positive COVID test yesterday. We are wishing her a speedy recovery," Melvin said Wednesday.

"We look forward to seeing Hoda and Savannah back here at the desk very very soon," he added.

This marks the third COVID-19 diagnosis for Guthrie, who tested positive for the virus in January and May of 2022.

Where is Savannah? Guthrie leaves 'Today' in the middle of the show after testing positive for COVID-19

Hoda Kotb shares inspirational quotes, has been open about her personal life

Kotb was last on air Feb. 17 and since her absence has been posting inspirational quotes on Instagram about bravery, blue skies, brave women, hope and miracles.

The "Today" anchor, who has been with NBC News since 1998, has been open about her personal life on air, including the adoption of her daughters Hope and Haley, and last year's split between her and her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman. 

After announcing their split last January Kotb said nothing happened to cause the separation and noted that talking about something like this publicly was a little "awkward" and "weird."

She added that though she struggled with how to speak about the split, she knew that many women would understand what she was going through.

"I feel like often we share the joyous pieces of our life, the engagement and all the fun … and I share the adoption of my children and all the joy and all the beautiful parts, and then the difficult parts sometimes you want to forget about. You want to erase them you don't want to share them because that's not part of a pretty picture," Kotb said at the time.

More: Kathie Lee Gifford praises Hoda Kotb for 'grace and kindness' in Joel Schiffman split

Contributing: Edward Segarra

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where is Hoda Kotb? 'Today' show co-hosts address her absence