TE24 International Desk:
Joe Biden, the oldest person to serve as US president, has tested positive for Covid-19, is experiencing mild symptoms and will continue to work but in isolation, the White House said on Thursday. Biden, 79, is hemorrhaging.
In a note released Thursday, White House physician Kevin O’Connor said the runny nose, fatigue and occasional dry cough were symptoms he began experiencing late Wednesday. Biden has started paxlovide antiviral treatment, O’Connor said, Reuters reported.
Fully vaccinated and raised twice, Biden said he was “doing well” in a video posted to his Twitter account. In the 21-second clip, he also said that he was “doing a lot of work” and that he would continue to fulfill his duties.
A photo on his Twitter account shows him smiling, wearing a blazer and sitting at a desk with papers. White House Covid Coordinator Dr Ashish Jha said Biden’s oxygen levels were normal and the president would self-isolate for five days and return to public events after testing negative for Covid.
Biden fell ill at a time when his administration is grappling with rising inflation, global supply challenges, mass shootings and Russia’s ground offensive in Ukraine. His illness forced him to cancel a trip to Pennsylvania, where Biden planned to demand $37 billion from Congress for a crime prevention program, and Biden has been in close contact with allies.
He said that he was informed about his illness. Vice President Kamala Harris was in close contact with Biden on Tuesday, White House officials said. Biden’s chief of staff, Ron Klein, told MSNBC that he is, too, but that the president has yet to appear positive on the case.
