Biden tests positive for COVID-19, has 'very mild symptoms'
President Biden has tested positive for COVID-19.
The White House announced the president's coronavirus diagnosis Thursday, saying he tested positive this morning and is experiencing "very mild symptoms." He has started taking Paxlovid, Pfizer's oral antiviral COVID-19 treatment that was approved by the FDA last year.
Prior to his positive test result, Biden, who is fully vaccinated and received two booster doses, was last tested for COVID on Tuesday, according to the White House. He was in contact with White House staff over the phone Thursday and "will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence," according to a press release.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Biden will "continue to carry out all of his duties fully" while isolating at the White House until he gets a negative test result, officials also said. A daily update on Biden's COVID status will be provided.
This is the first time Biden, who at 79 is the oldest president in U.S. history, has tested positive for COVID-19, though numerous members of his staff have previously had the coronavirus, including former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. Vice President Kamala Harris also tested positive for COVID-19 in April, but she wasn't considered a close contact to Biden because she had just returned from a trip to California.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
