'DWTS' pro Cheryl Burke says she has COVID-19

The dancer noted that she was fully vaccinated but her symptoms got progressively worse as the day went on.

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Monday, September 27, 2021
'DWTS' pro Cheryl Burke says she has COVID-19
Her announcement came just hours before a scheduled performance with master Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby on the hit dancing competition show.

NEW YORK -- Professional dancer and "Dancing With the Stars" pro Cheryl Burke announced she has COVID-19.

"OK, I so I have really bad news. I am positive, which means I have COVID," the dancer said, fighting back tears.

Her announcement came just hours before a scheduled performance with master Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby on the hit dancing competition show.

"I feel so bad for Cody. I feel like I'm letting him down -- it's so overwhelming," she said.

The dancing veteran said it started when she felt sick Sunday morning.

"Unfortunately I am on my way to take a COVID test because not only do I feel scared and at a lost for words, I do feel run down a little bit," Burke said in a video post on Instagram.

Burke said she was in disbelief and noted that she was fully vaccinated but her symptoms got progressively worse as the day went on.

"I figured I should let you guys know since we've been as open and as real and vulnerable as I could be here. I just hope I didn't spread it," she said.

SEE ALSO: About 99.999% of fully vaccinated Americans have not had a deadly COVID-19 breakthrough case: CDC

Other co-stars and some of Burke's past dancing partners responded with messages of love and support in the comments of her Instagram post.

Alan Bersten wrote, "Praying for you."

Sharna Burgess commented, "Oh babe I am so so sorry and devastated for you. I can't believe it. I'm thinking of you and praying for you."

The star has been transparent about other major life moments, including discussing her sobriety journey with "GMA" when she explained that her 37th birthday triggered her urge to drink.

"That feeling of anxiety, you know, whether it's like my career, when am I going to do you know, how am I going to have a family," she said.

As Burke enters a mandatory 10-day quarantine, her partner will dance Monday night with one of the show's alternate pros.

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" stars Cheryl Burke and Cody Rigsby.
ABC/Maarten de Boer