White House officials say President Joe Biden appears to be doing well after he tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday morning.
On Friday morning, Presidential physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor reported that Biden had a slight fever on Thursday evening, but had taken Acetaminophen for it.
Dr. O’Connor also reported that Biden was experiencing a runny nose, fatigue, and a cough. O’Connor also said that Biden was taking Paxlovid, an antiviral drug to combat the virus. Biden’s pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels were all normal.
In a written statement to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, O’Connor gave Biden a good prognosis for recovering from the virus, and also said, “There has been nothing in the course of his illness thus far which gives me cause to alter that initial expectation.”
Biden has been vaccinated and received two booster shots, but at age 79, is considered high risk for more severe illness.
He gave an update to the American people:
An update from me: pic.twitter.com/L2oCR0uUTu
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 21, 2022
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Schedule Changes For Biden
Joe Biden was scheduled to travel to Pennsylvania on Thursday and Florida on Monday, but those trips were canceled. The White House said that Biden will isolate for five days, and will continue to isolate until he receives a negative COVID test result.
A tweet was also posted showing Biden working at the presidential residence. On Friday, Biden spoke by phone with national security advisors.
On Biden’s schedule was a virtual meeting with his economic team about gas prices, and then with White House senior advisors concerning legislative priorities.
The White House also wanted to show pictures and video of Biden continuing to work with minimal discomfort from the virus as a way to telegraph to Americans to go about their daily activities as long as they have taken the proper precautions.
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
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Where Biden Contracted COVID And Who He Has Been In Contact With
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned by reporters as to where Biden may have contracted the virus. She stated, “I don’t think that that matters, right? I think what matters is we prepared for this moment.”
White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha was also vague about whether Biden followed federal COVID guidelines and began to isolate as soon as he was experiencing symptoms or not until after his positive test. First Lady Jill Biden tested negative on Thursday.
During Biden’s trip to Massachusetts on Wednesday, he had been in close contact with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Biden has also been in close contact with Vice President Kamala Harris and Chief of Staff Ron Klain. Currently, there are no other known positive tests among those Biden came into close contact with.
Dr. Eric Topol is the head of Scripps Research Translational Institute. He says that isolating until he receives a negative test could put Biden, “out of commission from interacting with people for at least eight to 10 days.”
President Biden continued working from the White House this morning, including speaking by phone with his national security team. pic.twitter.com/jdQkoDtupR
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 22, 2022
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