Jessica Simpson Reveals She Tested Positive for COVID

The star said she began writing an essay on the same day as her COVID-19 diagnosis

Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Jessica Simpson has revealed that she previously tested positive for COVID-19.

Simpson, 40, shared the health update in an Instagram post on Monday as she promoted her upcoming essay for Amazon's Original Stories series.

"This past year has been especially intense for me and so many of you. I started writing this essay on the same day I received a positive test result for COVID-19," Simpson shared in the caption, though she did not go into details about her experience with the virus or say exactly when she was sick.

The star announced a partnership with Amazon Studios in early December.

"I decided instead of being driven by fear, I would manifest a hopeful conversation with you," she continued. "I felt strong, resilient, and God- inspired through my pen teaching me as I was sharing with you ways to get to the other side of fear."

Simpson's essay, titled Take the Lead, will be available on April 29.

Earlier this week, the mother of three shared with PEOPLE what it's been like being a working mom during the ongoing pandemic.

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"I definitely had to multitask on a whole new level this year, between my kids being in school on Zoom and being a working mom, keeping the Jessica Simpson Collection running remotely and pushing through inspired ideas that became endless and so many rewarded all while keeping my family smiling," she said.

The Open Book author and husband Eric Johnson share daughters Birdie Mae, 2, and Maxwell Drew, 8½, and son Ace Knute, 7½.

Simpson told PEOPLE that over the past year, she has had moments when she "was just in tears and so overwhelmed," but she "got through them."

"I think the takeaway is that it's not easy and every day presents challenges and blessings," she said. "Life is a blessing to be lived, and the more we overthink things, the more we fall behind on our personal journey."

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