US president Joe Biden tests positive for Covid-19 again
30 July 2022, 20:14
Mr Biden will re-enter isolation for least five days.
US president Joe Biden tested positive for Covid-19 again on Saturday, slightly more than three days after he was cleared to leave coronavirus isolation, the White House said, in a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug.
White House physician Dr Kevin O’Connor said in a letter that Mr Biden “has experienced no re-emergence of symptoms, and continues to feel quite well”.
In accordance with Centres for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Mr Biden will re-enter isolation for least five days.
Folks, today I tested positive for COVID again.
This happens with a small minority of folks.
I’ve got no symptoms but I am going to isolate for the safety of everyone around me.
I’m still at work, and will be back on the road soon.
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 30, 2022
The agency says most rebound cases remain mild and that severe disease during that period has not been reported.
Mr Biden, 79, was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid, and tested negative for the virus on Tuesday and Wednesday.
He was then cleared to leave isolation while wearing a mask indoors.
His positive tests puts him among the minority of those prescribed the drug to experience a rebound case of the virus.
Mr Biden is fully vaccinated, after getting two doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine shortly before taking office, a first booster shot in September and an additional dose on March 30.
