Biden tests positive for COVID-19, has 'very mild symptoms'

On Thursday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced that Biden had contracted the virus. According to Pierre, the 79-year-old president, who’s fully vaccinated and has received two booster shots, is experiencing “very mild symptoms.”

Biden has begun taking Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that can reduce the risk of hospitalization for individuals who test positive for the virus.

“He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms. He has begun taking Paxlovid,” Pierre says.

The WH provides this letter from the Physician to the President on Biden testing positive for COVID-19: pic.twitter.com/QjabbvXmfP

— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) July 21, 2022

“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.”

First Lady Jill Biden tells reporters that her husband is “feeling good” despite his results. Jill also tested for the virus, but her results were negative.

Biden recently attended an event in Massachusetts on Wednesday to announce policies to fight climate change. A handful of officials were in attendance at the event as well, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, D-Mass., climate envoy John Kerry and climate advisor Gina McCarthy.

It is unclear if any of these individuals have also contracted the virus.