President Joe Biden has contracted the coronavirus after receiving his second booster in March, according to the White House.
“This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19. He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote in a statement Thursday. “He has begun taking Paxlovid.”
BIDEN DISAPPOINTS ACTIVISTS WITH CLIMATE EMERGENCY TALK AND NOT ACTION
“Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” she said. “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.”
Biden traveled to Massachusetts on Wednesday to deliver a speech on climate change action in which he made some eyebrow-raising gaffes. Jean-Pierre and climate adviser Gina McCarthy traveled with him. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) led a contingent of Massachusetts lawmakers. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi were also on hand to greet Biden.
The president was scheduled to deliver remarks on gun violence in Pennsylvania later Wednesday. His travel schedule has been canceled for the time being. He completed a trip to the Middle East last week.
“I talked to him just a few minutes ago. He’s doing fine. He’s feeling good,” first lady Jill Biden told reporters at a school in Detroit. She said she tested negative and was going to maintain her public schedule. The first lady is expected to travel to Wilmington, Delaware, for the weekend while the president remains at the White House.
The president later weighed in himself via Twitter. “Folks, I’m doing great,” he said. “Thanks for your concern.” He mentioned some calls he had placed and concluded, “Keeping busy!”
Folks, I’m doing great. Thanks for your concern. Just called Senator Casey, Congressman Cartwright, and Mayor Cognetti (and my Scranton cousins!) to send my regrets for missing our event today.
Keeping busy! pic.twitter.com/uf7AsOg571
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 21, 2022
Biden, 79, has had a protective bubble around him for most of the pandemic, including regular, proactive testing for himself and aides, as well as socially distanced meetings with staff whenever possible.
But the White House relaxed many of its COVID-19 restrictions, such as indoor mask-wearing, as the administration contended with pandemic fatigue ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Biden spoke at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner this year, even though Dr. Anthony Fauci skipped it. Biden also has called for more COVID-19 funding from Congress and marked more than 1 million U.S. deaths from the virus.
“We take additional measures that go beyond what the CDC protocols and requirements are to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to keep principals safe — the president, the vice president, and others, of course, in the building,” then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in April of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Biden followed up his first tweet with a second, including a video of him on a White House balcony saying he would be fine.
An update from me: pic.twitter.com/L2oCR0uUTu
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 21, 2022
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Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive in April. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, tested positive for the virus in March.
The White House held a public briefing Thursday afternoon with Jean-Pierre and COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha. They reported that Biden first experienced symptoms, such as a runny nose, a dry cough, and some fatigue, Wednesday night.
