Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 solely days after testing unfavorable and having apparently largely shrugged off an an infection with the virus, the White Home doctor mentioned in a press release.
The president had contracted Covid and apparently recovered. However Biden had been taking the treatment Paxlovid, which has reported numerous cases of successfully lowering the viral load of Covid just for it to return as soon as the treatment is stopped.
The White Home doctor, Dr Kevin O’Connor, mentioned in a letter that Biden “has skilled no re-emergence of signs, and continues to really feel fairly effectively”.
In accordance with Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention tips, Biden will re-enter isolation for least 5 days. The company says most “rebound” circumstances stay gentle and that extreme illness throughout that interval has not been reported.
Biden, 79, initially examined optimistic final Thursday and his well being and superior age, which had lengthy been a topic of hypothesis, got here to dominate the information, particularly as a raspy-voiced Biden labored by way of his signs.
Biden tweeted about his optimistic case, saying it may well occur to a “small minority of oldsters”.
“I’ve obtained no signs however I’m going to isolate for the protection of everybody round me. I’m nonetheless at work, and will probably be again on the street quickly,” he tweeted.
Whereas Biden was testing unfavorable, he returned to holding in-person indoor occasions and conferences with employees on the White Home and was carrying a masks, in accordance with CDC tips. However Biden eliminated his masks indoors when delivering remarks on Thursday and through a gathering with CEOs on the White Home advanced.
Requested why Biden seemed to be breaching CDC protocols, the press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, mentioned: “They had been socially distanced. They had been far sufficient aside. So we made it secure for them to be collectively, to be on that stage.”
Paxlovid has been confirmed to considerably cut back extreme illness and demise amongst these most susceptible to Covid. US well being officers have inspired those that check optimistic to seek the advice of their medical doctors or pharmacists to see if they need to be prescribed the remedy, regardless of the rebound threat.
Biden is absolutely vaccinated, after getting two doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine shortly earlier than taking workplace, a primary booster shot in September and an extra dose 30 March.
The brand new optimistic check jeopardizes a Tuesday journey to Michigan. Biden had deliberate to tout the latest passage of laws to spice up the semiconductor business, which the White Home introduced earlier Saturday.
Reuters and the Related Press contributed to this report
