The White House physician said Saturday that President Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again, just days after recovering from his previous case of the virus. He is not experiencing any symptoms, but he will continue to isolate himself.
In a tweet, the president stated that he is “still at work,” but that he is isolating himself “for the safety of everyone around me.” He will not travel to Wilmington, Delaware, or Michigan, according to the White House.
Folks, today I tested positive for COVID again.
This happens with a small minority of folks.
I’ve got no symptoms but I am going to isolate for the safety of everyone around me.
I’m still at work, and will be back on the road soon.
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 30, 2022
Later Saturday afternoon, the president demonstrated his point by posting a photo of himself in a mask and signing a document that will add individual assistance to the major disaster declaration he approved after deadly and damaging flooding in Kentucky. He also posted a video of himself with his dog, Commander, at the White House.
I’m taking more action to help the families being displaced and lives lost due to the flooding in Kentucky.
Today, I added Individual Assistance to the Major Disaster declaration I approved to expedite support to flooding survivors. pic.twitter.com/6G1oXDDIFn
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 30, 2022
A quick update. pic.twitter.com/FgT1sGlZCY
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 30, 2022
Mr. Biden’s Instagram account also posted a photo of him using his phone to FaceTime with “families fighting to pass burn pit legislation” on Saturday evening.
This is in reference to a bill that failed to pass the Senate this week, which would have provided benefits to an estimated 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic burns during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
The president, who has been vaccinated and double boosted, feels “quite well,” according to his physician, Col. Kevin O’Connor, and will not begin treatment at this time.
Mr. Biden is experiencing what O’Connor described as “‘rebound’ positivity,” which can occur in a small percentage of patients taking the drug Paxlovid.
Mr. Biden was diagnosed with COVID less than two weeks ago. The president, 79, was placed in isolation and began taking Paxlovid, a Pfizer antiviral treatment, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement announcing his diagnosis. He only had minor symptoms.
Mr. Biden tested negative after five days and was released from isolation on Tuesday evening. His doctor stated that he tested negative on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. An antigen test, however, came back positive Saturday morning.
Mr. Biden contracted the coronavirus for the first time nine days ago, according to his positive test.
According to her spokesperson, Kirsten Allen, Vice President Kamala Harris tested negative for COVID on Friday. Meanwhile, according to communication director Elizabeth Alexander, first lady Dr. Jill Biden, who has been staying at the couple’s Delaware home since her husband first tested positive, remains negative.
Back in May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned of potential “COVID-19 rebound” after a five-day course of Paxlovid.
“If you take Paxlovid, you might get symptoms again,” CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told CBS News. “We haven’t yet seen anybody who has returned with symptoms needing to go to the hospital. So, generally, a milder course.”
A rebound has been reported to occur two to eight days after a patient recovers. Nonetheless, the CDC claims that the benefits of taking Paxlovid far outweigh the risks. According to the CDC, it reduced the risk of hospitalisation and death by nearly 90% among unvaccinated people at high risk for severe disease.
Pfizer stated at the time that it was seeing a 2% rebound rate but was still monitoring patients.
Dr. Ashish Jha, White House COVID-19 coordinator, told reporters on Monday that data “suggests that between 5 and 8% of people have rebounded” after Paxlovid treatment.
