Whoopi Shuts Down Conspiracy Theories Claiming She's Not Actually Out With COVID

The View moderator Whoopi Goldberg, who appeared masked and tired, delivered a video message after taking a temporary leave of absence from the show due to testing positive for COVID-19.

Goldberg was forced to respond after conspiracy theorists claimed she was actually at Burning Man or still on vacation in Italy instead of quarantining at home with COVID-19.

This is the third time Goldberg has contracted COVID-19 and her latest infection comes as the United States sees a rise in new cases due to a newer, more infectious variant.

You can hear what Goldberg said in the video below.

Whoopi Sends Message To 'The View' As She Recovers From Covid | The View youtu.be

Goldberg said:

“In spite of everything you’ve heard, I am not at Burning Man, I am not still in Italy, I am not trying to change the outcome of the election, I just have Covid.”

Goldberg said she is still testing positive for the virus and that she'll be away from work for at least the next couple of days.

She said she was “thrilled to see the beautiful new desk” that The View hosts got to see unveiled for the show's 27th season, adding:

"And I’m thrilled to see all the beautiful women…I can’t wait to get back and hang out.”

Goldberg's absence was initially addressed by co-host Joy Behar, who clarified that she was "under the weather" and emphasized the importance of vaccination. Behar responded to internet comments questioning why Goldberg, who is vaccinated, could still contract COVID-19.

She also emphasized the necessity of vaccination to prevent severe illness and death:

"If you don’t get [the vaccine] and you get the disease you might die. This type of irrational talk drives me nuts."

Many appreciated Goldberg's message and sent her their well wishes.

COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise around the United States but remain relatively low compared to other points during the pandemic.

Per ABC News, "the overwhelming majority of U.S. are reporting fewer than 10 new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 people" and health experts have expressed hope that new booster shots could stem the tide of hospitalizations.

Recent data indicates that the new booster—which could be available as early as next week—could offer increased protection from new COVID variants, responding to Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) guidance that warned the new variant "may be more capable of causing infection in people who have previously had COVID-19 or who have received COVID-19 vaccines."