Wendy Williams Tests Positive for Breakthrough COVID amid Ongoing 'Health Evaluations'

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Wendy Williams has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19 as she navigates other ongoing health issues.

The announcement of her diagnosis was made Wednesday on The Wendy Williams Show Instagram account.

"While continuing her health evaluations, Wendy has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19," the statement said.

"To allow Wendy time to quarantine and fully recover and to ensure that our production abides by all SAG/AFTRA and DGA Covid protocols, we expect to begin the 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday, October 4th," the statement continued. "In the meantime, repeats will be scheduled."

RELATED: Risk of Severe Breakthrough COVID is Low, but More Likely for the Elderly or Immunocompromised

Breakthrough cases — COVID-19 infections that occur in people who have been fully vaccinated against the virus — are rare, but possible and expected, as the vaccines are not 100 percent effective in preventing infections. Still, vaccinated people who test positive will likely be asymptomatic or experience a far milder illness than if they were not vaccinated. The majority of deaths from COVID-19 — around 98 to 99 percent — are in unvaccinated people.

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Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams

Manny Carabel/Getty

In another statement posted to the Instagram page last week, Williams' team announced that she was canceling her upcoming public appearances due to "ongoing health issues."

"Wendy is dealing with some ongoing health issues and is undergoing further evaluations," the statement read. "She will not be able to complete her promotional activities next week, but can't wait to be back in her purple chair Monday, September 20th for the 13th season premiere."

Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams

Santiago Felipe/Getty Wendy Williams

RELATED: Celebrities Who've Tested Positive for COVID in 2021

Last May, the 57-year-old TV personality took time off from her talk show due to health concerns surrounding her Graves' disease. A spokesperson for The Wendy Williams Show told PEOPLE at the time that the star had been "dealing with symptoms from her Graves' disease, which is causing fatigue."

In 2018, she opened up to PEOPLE about the immune system disorder, explaining that she was diagnosed with Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism 19 years prior.

"I feel a hundred percent better than I was a few months ago. I had a storm going in my body is the best way I can explain it," said Williams at the time.

"It came from me neglecting my six-month endocrinology appointment. I have Graves' disease and hyperthyroid. If you have one you don't necessarily have to have the other, but I have both, and I was diagnosed with both 19 years ago," she added.