President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, underscoring the persistence of the highly contagious virus as new variants challenge the nation’s efforts to resume normalcy after two and a half years of pandemic disruptions.
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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Biden was experiencing “mild symptoms” and has begun taking Paxlovid, an antiviral drug designed to reduce the severity of the disease.
She said Biden “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.”
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Biden, 79, is fully vaccinated, after getting two doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine shortly before taking office, a first booster shot in September and an additional dose March 30.
PM Modi wishes Biden speedy recovery after US President Biden tests positive for Covid
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday wished US President Joe Biden, who has tested positive for Covid, a speedy recovery.
Earlier in the day, the White House had said Biden has tested positive for Covid and was experiencing “very mild symptoms”, becoming the second sitting president to be hit by the virus.
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This is the first time Biden, 79, has tested positive for Covid.
“My best wishes to @POTUS @JoeBiden for a quick recovery from COVID-19, and prayers for his good health,” Modi said in a tweet.
Biden, who is fully vaccinated and twice boosted, has begun taking the Covid pill Paxlovid. In line with CDC guidelines, President Biden will isolate himself at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during this time, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
(With inputs from agencies)