Joe Biden has tested negative for Covid-19 and will discontinue his isolation after contracting the virus last Thursday, his doctor said Wednesday.
In a letter, Kevin O’Connor said the US president had tested negative for Covid-19 on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and has completed the five-day isolation period recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Biden also finished a five-day course of the antiviral Paxlovid, a medication to reduce the severity of the illness, and has also discontinued any use of Tylenol.
“His symptoms have been steadily improving, and are almost completely resolved,” wrote O’Connor, adding that Biden is fever-free.
The president tweeted out a picture of a negative rapid test with the caption: “Back to the Oval. Thanks to Doc for the good care, and to all of you for your support.”
Biden, 79, is fully vaccinated, after receiving two doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine shortly before taking office. Biden has also gotten two booster shots: a first booster dose in September and an additional shot on 30 March. O’Connor said Biden will still be wearing a “well-fitting mask” for the next 10 days when around other people.
Biden’s illness put the spotlight on the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, Ashish Jha, and the administration’s Covid strategy of relying on vaccination, booster shots and Paxlovid to help patients with risk factors recover.
“They’re trying to make an object lesson out of the president’s Covid case,” said Andy Slavitt, a former senior adviser on the White House’s Covid response team, to Politico. “They want to make some points to the public about the best ways to handle it when you do get infected.”
