The Today show has had to shake up its hosts again on Tuesday morning after two presenters tested positive for Covid-19.
The morning show’s co-host Allison Langdon and entertainment reporter Brooke Boney are both on leave while they recover from the virus.
“We have had a few issues with staffing this morning,” Karl Stefanovic told audiences in the opening minutes of Tuesday morning’s show.
“So Sarah (Abo) is in for Ally after testing positive to Covid, Brooke has also gone down with Covid.
“Both are in isolation and we will see them sometime next week.”
Stefanovic told viewers that several of the production crew has also come down with the virus, saying it spread “quickly through the back room”.
Stefanovic offered a small smirk as he raised his hands in a shrug and said, “Interestingly, those of us who are elite athletes … are fine.”
Abo, who is filling in for Langdon, and presenter Alex Cullen looked on with knowing looks and burst into laughter at Stefanovic’s suggestion.
Stefanovic tested positive for Covid-19 over the Christmas 2021 holidays.
Langdon and Boney were in the studio on Monday and tested positive after the show finished at 9am.
They will self-isolate at home for seven days and are expected to return to work once they are fully recovered.
Weekend Today entertainment presenter Richard Wilkins will fill in for Boney’s weekday segments.
This comes as the co-hosts of competitor Channel 7’s own morning show, Sunrise, returned to work on Monday after both fell ill last week.
Natalie Barr and David Koch made light of the unlucky timing of their respective illnesses, saying they had competed over who had it worse.
“I think your cold was worse than my Covid-19,” Koch joked on air on Monday morning.
“I actually think my head cold was worse than your Covid-19,” Barr confirmed.
