WASHINGTON (Fwrd Axis) — President Joe Biden has tested negative for Covid-19 and left isolation Wednesday after five days, the White House confirmed, showcasing how effective the antiviral Plaxlovid is for Americans if they get infected.
Biden tested negative Tuesday evening and again Wednesday morning and his symptoms have almost completely resolved, White House doctor Kevin O’Connor said in a letter. The President will also wear a mask for 10 days when around others as a precaution.
“Many of us are still going to get Covid, even if we take the precautions. That doesn’t mean we’re doing anything wrong,” Biden said in remarks from the Rose Garden. “Unfortunately, this Covid is still with us as it has been for two and a half years, but our fight against Covid is making a huge difference. What’s different now is our ability to protect ourselves from a serious illness.”
Biden tested positive on July 21 during a routine test after returning from his trip to the Middle East. He was experiencing a runny nose, cough, and a sore throat and was prescribed the antiviral Paxlovid, a five-day course of treatment. O’Connor said Biden’s symptoms showed signs of improvement after beginning treatment. The White House credits Biden as being fully vaccinated and having received two booster shots as the reason for him not having a severe illness.
“When my predecessor got Covid, he had to get a helicopter to Walter Reed Medical Center. He was severely ill. Thankfully, he recovered,” Biden said of former President Donald Trump. “I got Covid, I worked from the upstairs of the White House in the offices upstairs for a five-day period.”
“The difference is vaccinations of course, but also three new tools free to all and widely available. You don’t need to be president to get these tools used for your defense. In fact, the same booster shots the same at-home test, the same treatment that I got are available to you,” Biden said.
While Biden was under the weather, the White House used the quick recovery to encourage Americans to get vaccinated and boosted.
“I got through with no fear,” Biden said.
