The Covid affects Joe Biden again. The President of the United States must isolate himself after contracting the disease a second time without showing symptoms, says the White House.
An update from Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Physician to the President. pic.twitter.com/40oqYOYTQN
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 30, 2022
The 79-year-old president “tested positive late Saturday morning in an antigen test” and “will be resuming strict containment measures,” wrote Dr. Kevin O’Connor, noting that cases of “rebound” of positivity can occur in people treated with Paxlovid, Pfizer’s anti-Covid pill.
As Joe Biden had tested negative on Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning, Thursday morning and Friday morning, “this is definitely rebound positivity,” according to his doctor. “The President has not experienced a re-emergence of symptoms and continues to feel completely well,” he added.
Biden, already tested positive on July 21
“There is therefore no reason to resume treatment at this stage”, but Joe Biden, the oldest president ever elected in the United States, will remain under observation, he continued. The head of state had tested positive on July 21 with “very mild symptoms” and was released from confinement on Wednesday, after testing negative.
The president, fully vaccinated and who has received two booster doses, is keen to “protect all those (…) who have to work near him”, whether it is the staff of the White House, his guards of the body or those around him, concluded Dr. O’Connor.
Paxlovid is an antiviral treatment that works by reducing the ability of the virus to replicate, thus slowing the progression of the disease. It must be taken within the first few days after symptoms appear to be effective. It is recommended in the United States for people at risk of developing a severe case of the disease.