July 21 (UPI) – President Joe Biden is taking an antiviral and is expected to have severe illness after testing positive for COVID-19, White House officials said at a briefing Thursday.
“This morning, President Biden was tested for COVID-19,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “He is fully vaccinated and has gained two boosters and has very mild symptoms.
“He began taking Paxlovid. De accordance with CDC guidelines, will self-isolate in the White House, and will continue to perform all of his duties fully during this period,” he added.
Biden’s vacation was canceled for at least the next five days. He was scheduled to travel to eastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday to announce his Safer America plan.
“The president’s last last check for COVID on Tuesday, when he had a negative control result. “
The White House on Thursday released a letter from the presidential physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, that said, “Lately, President Biden is experiencing mild symptoms, primarily rhinorrhea (or ‘runny nose’) and fatigue, with occasional dry cough, which began [Wednesday night. ‘”
O’Connor said he expects Biden to “respond favorably” to the antiviral drug Paxlovid, “as most patients do. “
Biden tested positive on an antigen test and O’Connor said the result was shown through a polymerase chain reaction test, or PCR. Vice President Kamala Harris tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday, the White House announced.
First lady Jill Biden, who is considered a close contact with the president, also tested negative for the virus. Spokeswoman Michael LaRosa said she would go ahead with plans to travel to Michigan and Georgia on Thursday, but would wear a mask and practice. social distancing.
COVID-19 can be a threat to seniors, like Biden, 79.