Just a few days after recovering from his first bout of illness with Covid, President Joe Biden has tested positive once again and is battling Covid for his second time.
Biden, 79, posted on Twitter, that so-called rebound cases like his happen with a small minority of folks prescribed the antiviral medication Paxlovid to treat the bug.
“Folks, today I tested positive for COVID again. I’ve got no symptoms but I am going to isolate for the safety of everyone around me,” the tweet said. “I’m still at work, and will be back on the road soon.”
Biden tested for Covid on July 21, his first time around, and then a negative showed up Tuesday evening after he took Paxlovid.
White House Physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor said in a letter on Saturday that Biden was among a small percentage of Paxlovid recipients who saw their symptoms rebound.
Biden tested positive on an antigen test and will isolate in case he is contagious, O’Connor said.
“After testing negative on Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning, Thursday morning and Friday morning, the President tested positive late Saturday morning, by antigen testing,” the publically released doctor’s note said.
However, Biden is not showing any signs of symptoms this time, so he is not being prescribed any additional medication at this time.
Presidential trips scheduled this week to Delaware and Michigan have been canceled, the White House said. Biden had hoped to promote funding for high-tech manufacturing in the Great Lake State; it is unclear if he will now attend the event virtually.
“The President has experienced no reemergence of symptoms, and continues to feel quite well,” O’Connor wrote. “This being the case, there is no reason to reinitiate treatment at this time, but we will obviously continue close observation.”
O’Conner added, “The President continues to be very specifically conscientious to protect his staff.”
Biden last week urged Americans to resume wearing face masks indoors – even as he attended several events unmasked during his three-day period of viral remission.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not advise mask-wearing in regions where COVID cases are low, but does advise them for people who have tested positive for the virus within the previous 10 days.
Due to his age, Biden turns 80 in November, it puts him at a higher risk of severe illness from the contagion.
He will re-enter isolation for at least five days in accordance with CDC guidelines and isolated at the White House until he tests negative.
Out of circulation again to limit gaffe production, goes old Hidin’ Biden!
How many body doubles of biden are there? It really will be a huge win for America and Americans if and when he finally is gone for good.
He says he’s still at work, I wonder where that is?
As always, F jb