Joe Biden tests positive for COVID again in rare rebound after Paxlovid treatment, returns to isolation
The White House says Mr Biden tested positive in a rare “rebound” case.(AP: Susan Walsh, File)
US President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 again, more than three days after he was cleared to exit isolation, the White House says, in a rare “rebound” case following treatment with an anti-viral drug.
Key points:
- The White House says his case is mild
- Mr Biden will isolate for another five days, three days after he was cleared from the virus
- The 79-year-old was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid after he first contracted the virus on July 21
White House physician Kevin O’Connor said in a letter that Mr Biden “has experienced no re-emergence of symptoms, and continues to feel quite well”.
Dr O’Connor said “there is no reason to re-initiate treatment at this time”.
In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Mr Biden will re-enter isolation for at least five days.
He will isolate at the White House until he tests negative.
A quick update. pic.twitter.com/FgT1sGlZCY
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 30, 2022
The agency says most rebound cases remain mild and that severe disease during that period has not been reported.
Just as when Mr Biden first tested positive, the White House sought to show he was still working.
The President tweeted a picture of himself, masked, signing a declaration that added individual assistance for flood survivors in Kentucky.
I’m taking more action to help the families being displaced and lives lost due to the flooding in Kentucky.
Today, I added Individual Assistance to the Major Disaster declaration I approved to expedite support to flooding survivors. pic.twitter.com/6G1oXDDIFn
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 30, 2022
Mr Biden followed up by tweeting out a 12-second video of him on a White House balcony with his dog, Commander.
“I’m feeling fine, everything is good,” said Mr Biden, a pair of aviator sunglasses in his hand. “But Commander and I got a little work to do.”
Mr Biden was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid after he first tested positive on July 21.
His positive tests puts him among the minority of those prescribed the drug to experience a rebound case of the virus.
White House COVID-19 coordinator Ashish Jha told reporters on Monday that data “suggests that between 5 and 8 per cent of people have rebound” after Paxlovid treatment.
AP
