Vanna White will be missing from Wheel of Fortune.

White reportedly contracted COVID in late July when the show was filming its annual “Teachers Week” episodes, which is set to air in October. Production was not able to reschedule due to the participating teachers’ schedules with the start of the school year.

In her absence, California-based “Teacher of the Year” recipient Bridgette Donald-Blue will stand in.

The timing was unusual because it comes during tense contract negotiations for White, who is seeking her first salary bump in 18 years. White has only been absent from the show on three previous occasions.

Pat Sajak’s daughter Maggie has twice filled in for White at the letter board — first in 2019 while her father recovered from surgery, and again in 2023 for ABC’s primetime Celebrity edition of Wheel.

“Wheel of Fortune” is slated to return for its 41st season this fall. In June, Ryan Seacrest was selected as the new host after Sajak announced that this will be his final season.

Sajak welcomed his replacement on X, formerly Twitter, and shared, “I’m looking forward to my final season starting this fall, and then handing over the car keys to Ryan Seacrest in September of 2024.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.