White House Doctor Says Joe Biden Shows Improvement After Covid Diagnosis – Update

Update 4, Sunday morning: President Joe Biden’s “symptoms of Covid-19 are improving significantly,” the presidential doctor wrote in Sunday’s letter.

Biden’s “predominant symptom right now is a sore throat,” said Dr. Kevin O’Connor. Other symptoms “eased slightly,” O’Connor said.

Biden will continue to receive paxloide treatment and will remain in solitary confinement.

In addition to the previously reported symptoms of dry cough, runny nose and fatigue, O’Connor indicated in a letter published today that Biden also has a sore throat and body aches, two common symptoms of the virus.

The White House doctor indicated that Biden was most likely affected by driving cases of the BA.5 variant across the country. He also said the president is taking paxlovid.

2nd update, June 21, 11:33 am: President Joe Biden said he was “doing well” and “doing a lot” in a new video released by the White House, hours after testing positive for covid.

“Thank you for your concern and keep the faith. It’s going to be okay, ”Biden said in a short slot filmed on Truman’s balcony on the South Side of the White House.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had “very mild symptoms,” while her personal doctor said they included dry cough, runny nose and fatigue. Biden is self-isolating and his Pennsylvania schedule of events was canceled on Thursday.

“Because the president is fully vaccinated and doubly reinforced, his risk of serious illness is dramatically low,” Dr. Ashish Jha, who leads the administration’s response to Covid, told reporters. He said the risk is further reduced by treating Biden with the antiviral drug Paxlovid.

According to him, it is not yet known what type of Covid variant Biden has, but tests are being done. Biden is monitored for symptoms and his oxygen levels are normal. He indicated that Biden would self-isolate for five days and could return to public events when the test comes back negative.

Several reporters wore masks in the meeting room, although they no longer needed them.

Asked by a reporter where Biden was when he was infected, Jean-Pierre said: “I don’t think it matters. The main thing is that we are ready for this moment. ”Jean-Pierre and Jaha tried to place Biden’s diagnosis in the broader context of the administration’s progress in fighting the Covid epidemic, noting that vaccines have significantly reduced the risk of serious illness and hospitalization, but reporters continued to insist on the question, how Biden contracted the virus.

Update from me: pic.twitter.com/L2oCR0uUTu

– President Biden (@POTUS) July 21, 2022

Updated on June 21 at 9:30 am: The White House recently released a photo of President Joe Biden at his desk after testing positive for Covid-19 on Thursday.

“Guys, I’m fine. Thanks for your attention. I just called Senator Casey, Congressman Cartwright, and Mayor Cognet (and my Scranton cousins!) To express my regret for missing our event today. Keep busy! “

Biden was supposed to come to Pennsylvania, but plans were canceled because he was isolated in the White House.

I’m fine friends. Thanks for your attention. I just called Senator Casey, Congressman Cartwright, and Mayor Cognet (and my Scranton cousins!) To express my regret for missing our event today.

busy! pic.twitter.com/uf7AsOg571

– President Biden (@POTUS) July 21, 2022

soon: President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 and is exhibiting “very mild symptoms,” the White House said Thursday.

Biden’s positive diagnosis could highlight the highly infectious nature of the latest Covid variant, although it is unclear which strain of the virus he may have been infected with.

The White House has been particularly cautious in testing people with close ties to Biden. However, the president has maintained a very public schedule that includes public events, in the White House and elsewhere. I was planning to travel to Pennsylvania today to speak and participate in a fundraiser on the new gun safety law.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement: President Biden tested positive for COVID-19 this morning. He is fully vaccinated and double boostered and has very mild symptoms. It all started with Paxlovide. In accordance with CDC guidelines, he will be isolated in the White House and will continue to perform all of his duties fully during this period. He communicated this morning by telephone with White House personnel and will attend his scheduled meetings this morning in the White House by telephone and from the residence via Zoom.

Jean-Pierre said that “according to White House protocol, for positive COVID cases outside the CDC guidelines, he will continue to work in isolation until the test is negative. Once the test is negative, he will go back to his personal work. “

The press secretary said they will provide daily updates on Biden’s condition and the medical department will inform the president’s close contacts of his positive case.

“The president’s last previous test for COVID was on Tuesday when he came back negative,” said Jean-Pierre.

First lady Jill Biden, who was in Detroit, told reporters Thursday morning that the test came back negative. She said she had talked to her husband about her and “she’s fine. He feels good. ”A White House official said Vice President Kamala Harris, who was with Biden on Tuesday, also tested negative.

Dr. Ashish Jha, who is leading the administration’s response to Covid, told CNN’s Jeremy Diamond that Biden did not have a fever this morning, but had a runny nose and a bit of fatigue. Biden was vaccinated and doubled, but at 79 he is in a higher risk category for serious complications.

A letter was released by the president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who said Biden tested positive for an antigen test and then a PCR test. He said Biden also suffered from an “occasional dry cough” which began Wednesday night. (Read his letter here.)

Biden’s positive diagnosis isn’t a complete surprise, even for the measures. In recent months, figures like Harris and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Biden’s chief medical advisor, have tested positive for the virus, and last year, White House officials trained reporters on the possibility that the president could contract the virus.

Broadcast networks began regular news coverage with NBC News at 10:32 am ET, ABC News at 10:35 am, and CBS News at 10:42 am ET. Jen Psak, the former White House press officer who tested positive for the virus twice, called MSNBC from the Barnes and Noble parking lot, her first appearance since her new role as a network contributor was announced.

“Every day you do a risk assessment as to whether you are exposing yourself or not,” Psaki said. “She got that extra push. This is clearly what the CDC and health experts recommend for all Americans. But beyond that, he knows he wants to get involved again and connect with people across the country. “