Cody Rigsby has tested positive for COVID-19, days after his “Dancing With the Stars” partner Cheryl Burke announced she contracted the virus.
Rigsby, who gained popularity online for his quippy commentary as a Peloton instructor, took to Instagram on Thursday to announce he tested positive for the disease for the second time this year, despite being fully vaccinated and following precautions set by the Centers for Disease Control.
“To properly rest and recover as well as avoid exposing others, I will be taking a break in the coming days,” he wrote. “I appreciate all your support, and I’ll be back as soon as I am ready.”
In the video he posted to Instagram, Rigsby explained that his symptoms are mild and include congestion, a slight headache and a cough. As for his fate on the ABC reality dance competition, “we’re still trying to figure that out right now, so please be patient with that answer,” he said.
“In comparison to when I had COVID earlier this year, it is night and day, so that must be the vaccine and the antibodies working, so we’re super grateful for that,” he added. “That being said, I’m going to go eat all the yummy food I can right now, as I still have my taste buds.”
On Sunday evening, Burke, Rigsby’s pro-partner on the show, had shared in an Instagram video that she tested positive for COVID.
Holding back tears, Burke said she “just feel(s) so bad” for Rigsby and felt overwhelmed by the test result coming in just a day before the live competition show was set to tape a new episode. The dancer, who received the Moderna vaccine, said she’d have to quarantine at home for 10 days, per CDC guidelines for vaccinated people who test positive.
“Not only do I feel scared and at a loss for words, I do feel run-down a little bit. And I feel really sad, because I don’t want to let Cody down,” Burke said. “Our freaking salsa was so good.”
‘DWTS’ pro Cheryl Burke tests positive for COVID, tearfully apologizes to dance partner Cody Rigsby
But the positive COVID test didn’t squash Rigsby and Burke’s aspirations for the Mirrorball trophy. Instead of performing during Monday’s live episode of “DWTS,” the judges critiqued the pair’s rehearsal footage, which was filmed last week, before Burke’s positive test result.
The rehearsal routine earned a total score of a 24 out of 40, and the two ended up advancing to the next round.
‘DWTS’ recap: COVID-19 keeps Cheryl Burke, Cody Rigsby out of ballroom, but not competition
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff
