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Robin Roberts, Amy Robach both test positive for COVID, leaving network scrambling to fill anchor chair

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“Good Morning America” was left scrambling Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, after co-anchor Robin Roberts tested positive for coronavirus about an hour before air, according to ABC sources.

ABC, like most major broadcasters, conducts regular COVID-19 tests on talent and crew (but especially talent because they don’t wear masks while on air).

Roberts test came back positive that morning and she was immediately isolated and sent home. Amy Robach, who is Robert’s primary backup anchor Monday through Thursdays, also tested positive, however, striking out her as an option.

The show could have moved on with just two co-anchors, but Jamal Norman, who happened to be in the studio getting prepped for a live on set appearance was tapped to fill in for Robach.

Meanwhile, Roberts says her symptoms have been mild and the network may have her anchor from home next week.

Meanwhile, Cecilia Vega, who normally anchors Fridays when Roberts has a weekly scheduled day off, flew up from Washington to fill in the rest of the week with Michael Strahan and George Stephanopoulos.

Roberts, who is a cancer survivor, anchored from home during many of the early days of the pandemic as a safety precaution. She also took an extended leave in 2021, though it wasn’t due to a direct COVID-19 diagnosis. Stephanopoulos and Strahan have both previously tested positive for COVID-19 over the past two years.

While Norman hosts weekend “GMA” and has previously filled in for the main co-hosts on weekdays, having 15 minutes to prepare for a morning show is no small feat.

Morning anchors typically have large packets of information about potential topics of the next day’s show delivered to their homes the night before, giving them at least some head start on what’s to come.

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