Biden tests positive for COVID-19, experiencing mild symptoms

The White House reported Thursday that President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing “very mild symptoms.”

The 79-year-old president is fully vaccinated after getting two initial doses of the coronavirus vaccine and two boosters since.

ABC News reports that White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha states Biden is experiencing a runny nose, a dry cough and is tired. Jha reports that Biden went to bed feeling fine but didn’t sleep well and subsequently tested positive Thursday morning.

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

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued the following statement:

This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19. He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms. He has begun taking Paxlovid. Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning, and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence.

Consistent with White House protocol for positive COVID cases, which goes above and beyond CDC guidance, he will continue to work in isolation until he tests negative. Once he tests negative, he will return to in-person work.

Out of an abundance of transparency, the White House will provide a daily update on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.

Per standard protocol for any positive case at the White House, the White House Medical Unit will inform all close contacts of the President during the day today, including any Members of Congress and any members of the press who interacted with the President during yesterday’s travel. The President’s last previous test for COVID was Tuesday, when he had a negative test result.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.