President Biden tests positive for COVID-19
Written by ABC Audio All Rights Reserved on July 21, 2022
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday morning, his office said.
Biden, 79, has “very mild symptoms” and is taking Paxlovid, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Jean-Pierre said an update will be provided every day as Biden “continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation” at the White House.
Close contacts, “including any Members of Congress and any members of the press who interacted with the President during yesterday’s travel,” will be informed on Thursday, Jean-Pierre said.
Biden traveled to Somerset, Massachusetts, on Wednesday where he announced executive actions to address climate change. The president greeted Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska at the White House on Tuesday.
“He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning, and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence,” Jean-Pierre said.
The president will work in isolation until he tests negative, she said.
Biden was last tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday, when he tested negative, she added.
Biden is fully vaccinated and received two boosters; his second booster shot was in March.
Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 in April. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a senior adviser to the president on the pandemic, tested positive last month.
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