The White House issued a statement Thursday morning, that President Biden tested positive for COVID-19.
In a letter released by the White House, Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, said that Biden, 79, is experiencing fatigue, a runny nose and a dry cough after testing positive.
“I anticipate that he will respond favorably, as most maximally protected patients do,” Dr. O’Connor wrote in the letter.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a written statement. “He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms. He has begun taking Paxlovid. Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning, and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence.”
“Consistent with White House protocol for positive COVID cases, which goes above and beyond CDC guidance, he will continue to work in isolation until he tests negative,” Jean-Pierre wrote. “Once he tests negative, he will return to in-person work.”
In her statement, Ms. Jean-Pierre said close contacts of the president will be informed.
Biden was last tested on Tuesday, and tested negative. Jill Biden, the First Lady, tested negative.
Mr. Biden’s positive test came amid a rise in virus cases as the country struggles with new sub-variants that doctors say are even more contagious and can more easily evade the protections provided by vaccinations.
A number of high-profile politicians have recently tested positive for the virus, including Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.