Biden continues to test positive for COVID-19, but feeling very well, doctor says

Biden continues to test positive for COVID-19, but feeling very well, doctor says

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President Joe Biden continues to feel “very well” but tested positive for COVID-19 again Friday, his doctor said.


What You Need To Know

  • President Joe Biden continues to feel “very well” but tested positive for COVID-19 again Friday, his doctor said
  • Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, wrote in a letter updating Biden’s condition that the president’s cough is almost gone and that his temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen level “remain entirely normal”
  • Biden is set to travel to flood-ravaged Kentucky with First Lady Jill Biden on Monday, but the White House press secretary said Friday that the president “will only travel if he tests negative”
  • Under CDC guidelines and based on O’Connor’s description of the president’s symptoms, Biden likely could have ended his isolation Friday, although wearing a mask when around others would still be recommended for another five days

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, wrote in a letter updating Biden’s condition that the president’s cough is almost gone and that his temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen level “remain entirely normal.” The president’s lungs also remain clear, O’Connor said.

Biden, 79, initially tested positive for COVID-19 on July 21 and experienced mild symptoms. He isolated in the White House residence, where he continued to work. 

The president tested negative July 27 and began to participate in some in-person events. But three days later, he again tested positive and had to return to isolation.

While rare, rebound cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the oral treatment Paxlovid, which Biden took when he was first infected. 

O’Connor said Biden will “continue to conduct the business of the American people from the Executive Residence,” although it’s unclear for how much longer. Under CDC guidelines and based on O’Connor’s description of the president’s symptoms, Biden likely could have ended his isolation Friday, although wearing a mask when around others would still be recommended for another five days.

O’Connor wrote that the president “continues to be very specifically conscientious to protect any of the Executive Residence, White House, Secret Service and other staff whose duties require any (albeit socially distanced) proximity to him.”

The White House announced Friday that President Biden is set to travel to flood-ravaged Kentucky with First Lady Jill Biden on Monday, “where they will join Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear to visit families affected by the devastation from recent flooding and survey recovery efforts.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that Biden will not travel to Kentucky if he is still testing positive for COVID-19.

“He will only travel if he tests negative,” she said.

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