Biden has COVID-19, experiencing ‘very mild’ symptoms, White House says
President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing “very mild” symptoms, the White House announced Thursday.
Biden, 79, has begun taking Paxlovid, the White House said. Paxlovid has been shown to reduce the risk for severe COVID-19 and death.
Biden is fully vaccinated and has received two COVID-19 booster shots. According to his physician, Kevin C. O’Connor, DO, FAAFP, Biden tested positive during routine screening Thursday morning.
“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,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in the statement. “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.”
Jean-Pierre said Biden will continue to isolate until he tests negative.
According to O’Connor, Biden’s symptoms include mostly rhinorrhea and fatigue, “with an occasional dry cough, which started [Wednesday] evening.” O’Connor said he recommended that Biden start Paxlovid based on the FDA’s emergency use criteria.
“The president is fully vaccinated and twice-boosted, so I anticipate he will respond favorably, as most maximally protected patients do,” O’Connor wrote in a memo to Jean-Pierre. “Early use of Paxlovid in this case provides additional protection against severe disease.”
Biden’s predecessor, Donald J. Trump, also tested positive while in office, months before the first vaccines were available.
Biden’s chief medical advisor, Anthony S. Fauci, MD, tested positive last month and also had mild symptoms. Fauci experienced a rebound of his infection after taking Paxlovid.
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