Biden tests positive for COVID-19

President Joe Biden is experiencing “mild symptoms,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, and is isolated in the White House. His doctor has cleared him to perform all of his usual duties while isolating and he will be attending meetings via phone and video conferencing. The White House had been taking precautions, such as requiring people to be tested before being allowed close contact with the president, but recently he participated in larger indoor gatherings where not everyone can be tested. He has also increased his traveling. 

What is the current risk to Biden? Biden is 79 years old but is fully vaccinated and has gotten two boosters, one in September and one in March. Jean-Pierre said he also started taking Paxlovid, an antiviral drug that has shown a 90 percent reduction in hospitalizations and death among patients at a higher risk for a severe illness.

Dig deeper: From the WORLD archives, read Onize Ohikere’s report in The Sift on when former President Donald Trump got COVID-19 in 2020.