President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced on Thursday.
Biden, 79, is fully vaccinated and double boosted.
According to a statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the president tested positive on Thursday morning and is experiencing “very mild symptoms.” She said that he will be isolating 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,” the statement said.
Biden is being treated using the anti-viral Paxlovid and will be returning to in-person work as soon as he tests negative.
“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. Once he tests negative, he will return to in-person work,” the statement continued.
The White House said that they will be providing daily updates about Biden’s status “as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.”
“Per standard protocol for any positive case at the White House, the White House Medical Unit will inform all close contacts of the President during the day today, including any Members of Congress and any members of the press who interacted with the President during yesterday’s travel,” the statement concluded. “The President’s last previous test for COVID was Tuesday, when he had a negative test result.”
The president took the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in December 2020 and January 2021. He was boosted with Pfizer shots in September 2021 and March 2022.
Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive on April 26, but reported being asymptomatic.
Today I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines. I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 26, 2022
“Today I tested positive for COVID-19,” Harris tweeted at the time. “I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines. I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted.”
