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- President Joe Biden had a runny nostril, fatigue and dry cough on Wednesday night time, his physician stated.
- The president is totally vaccinated and boosted, and is being handled with Paxlovid.
- First woman Jill Biden is touring right now and has examined detrimental for COVID.
WASHINGTON – Hours after testing optimistic for COVID-19 on Thursday, President Joe Biden reassured the nation “it’s going to be OK.”
“Hey of us, guess you heard. This morning I examined optimistic for COVID,” Biden, 79, stated in a 21-second video launched on social media Thursday afternoon. “However I’ve been double vaccinated, double boosted. Signs are delicate.”
A maskless Biden, who seemed to be talking from the White Home’s Truman balcony, stated he’s doing nicely and getting a whole lot of work achieved.
“Within the meantime, thanks in your concern,” Biden stated. “And hold the religion. It’s going to be OK.”
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Whereas Biden’s vaccinations ought to defend him in opposition to critical sickness, the an infection is a reminder that the pandemic Biden hoped to place behind him continues to be a part of day by day life.
Greater than 70% of People have been contaminated with COVID, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Nonetheless, COVID Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha stated he would not consider that each American will finally be contaminated, regardless of the extremely transmissible variants which might be circulating.
Biden will proceed to work on the White Home, the place he’ll isolate till he checks detrimental, in accordance with White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Every day updates on Biden’s situation will probably be given throughout his isolation, she stated.
Biden had final been examined for COVID-19 on Tuesday, when his consequence was detrimental, in accordance with Jean-Pierre.
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The place did Biden get COVID? We could by no means know
Nonetheless unknown is the place Biden bought COVID. People could by no means get the reply.
“I don’t suppose that issues,” Jean-Pierre stated. “What issues is we ready for this second.”
It was not possible to inform from the president’s COVID take a look at what sort of variant he contracted, stated
Jha stated the virus pattern has been despatched off for sequencing, which will help scientists monitor its unfold. Sequencing often takes a couple of week, however Biden’s case will get precedence, so the outcomes may very well be returned sooner, Jha stated.
The White Home has begun contact tracing to succeed in out to individuals who have been across the president over the previous 48 hours, Jean-Pierre stated. However, “it isn’t the best factor to seek out out precisely the place somebody bought COVID,” she stated.
“We need to guarantee that the folks that he was round – whether it is certainly a detailed contact – that they’re made conscious,” she stated. “That’s our focus right now.”
– Michael Collins
Biden’s oxygen ranges are being monitored
Biden’s oxygen ranges have been checked Thursday morning as a part of a full bodily examination, in accordance with Jha.
“He’s respiratory nicely. His oxygen degree is regular,” Jha stated.
How usually will probably be checked is as much as Biden’s physician, he added.
Due to the Paxlovid, Biden should quickly cease medicines he’s taken that lowers his ldl cholesterol and skinny his blood.
“It’s completely high-quality and fairly regular apply,” Jha stated.
– Maureen Groppe
White Home declines to say if plan in place to switch energy if wanted
Jean-Pierre declined to say whether or not there’s a plan in place to switch energy over to Vice President Harris if Biden’s signs worsen.
“The President has delicate signs,” Jean-Pierre stated. “He is capable of do the enterprise of the American individuals from the residence and that is what issues proper now.”
Harris traveled to Charlotte, N.C. on Thursday the place she gave remarks on inexpensive entry to high-speed web and held a roundtable on reproductive rights with North Carolina state legislators.
Harris examined detrimental for COVID-19 on Thursday.
– Rebecca Morin
Biden’s COVID chief: White Home protocols have protected president
Jha pushed again that the White Home’s protocols on the coronavirus have been too informal.
Jha stated Thursday afternoon the White Home’s protocol on COVID-19 has “achieved an excellent job defending the president.”
“The president desires to get on the market and meet American individuals and have interaction. We all the time stated this was a risk,” he stated.
Jha added that Biden’s “immune system could be very nicely protected given the 4 vaccine photographs he is gotten.”
“He is getting remedy. He has delicate signs. He is feeling high-quality in his phrases,” he stated.
– Rebecca Morin
Jha: Biden’s ‘threat of significant sickness is dramatically decrease’
Jha stated Thursday that Biden’s threat of significant sickness is low as a consequence of his vaccination standing, saying that it marks a second for the place the pandemic is in the USA.
“I need to additionally simply take a minute to type of mark this second as a result of the president is totally vaccinated, double boosted,” Jha stated. “His threat of significant sickness is dramatically decrease.”
He famous that Biden is being handled with Paxlovid, “a really highly effective antiviral” that “additional reduces his threat of significant sickness.”
“It is a reminder of the rationale that all of us work so laborious to guarantee that each American has the identical degree of safety that the President has, that each American has the identical degree of immunity,” Jha stated.
He added that the administration has “labored so laborious to guarantee that individuals have entry to life saving remedies like these are extremely vital issues for the president to have, and extremely vital issues for each American.”
– Rebecca Morin
Biden’s 2021 bodily discovered him ‘wholesome, vigorous’
Biden, the oldest individual elected to the presidency, was decided to be in general good well being throughout a November bodily performed a day earlier than his 79th birthday final yr.
Biden doesn’t drink alcohol or use tobacco merchandise and workout routines at the very least 5 days per week, in accordance with a abstract launched by his physician after the bodily.
Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, stated Biden’s persistent coughing and throat-clearing have been seemingly a symptom of gastroesophageal reflex, which can additionally contribute to occasional sinus congestion.
Biden additionally had a single 3mm benign-appearing polyp eliminated throughout a colonoscopy performed as a part of the bodily.
A 3-page abstract of Biden’s medical historical past launched in December 2019 stated his most important medical occasion was mind aneurysms he had in 1988 however that he is had no recurrences.
– Maureen Groppe
White Home protocols transcend public well being pointers
The White Home follows security protocols that transcend public well being pointers to attempt to defend Biden from the coronavirus.
Face coverings aren’t required, however all guests and employees should attest to their vaccination standing or undergo day by day checks. People who find themselves anticipated to be in shut proximity to Biden are examined day by day.
Journalists touring with the president or who’re a part of a small press “pool” protecting his actions within the Washington space additionally have to be examined day by day.
– Michael Collins
Prime leaders, at house and overseas, want Biden speedy restoration
Prime home and overseas leaders are wishing Biden a fast restoration after testing optimistic for COVID-19.
Prime Minister of Israel Yair Lapid, who Biden met with throughout his go to to Israel final week, wrote in a tweet: “On behalf of the individuals of Israel, I want a full and speedy restoration to my good friend, President @JoeBiden.”
Key allies on Capitol Hill, like Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Dick Durbin, D-In poor health., additionally wished for the president to recuperate shortly.
Prime Republican leaders additionally despatched nicely needs to the president.
“I used to be sorry to listen to that President Biden has examined optimistic for COVID-19. Wishing him a speedy restoration,” Republican Minority Chief Mitch McConnell wrote in a tweet.
– Rebecca Morin
What number of instances has Biden had COVID?
Thursday was the primary time Biden examined optimistic for COVID.
An antigen take a look at, given as a part of Biden’s routine screening, discovered presence of the virus. The consequence was confirmed by a PCR take a look at, in accordance with Biden’s physician.
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Working whereas sick
Biden known as Home Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., to want him a cheerful birthday, the White Home stated. The president additionally known as Pennsylvania lawmakers and elected officers, together with Rep. Matt Cartwright and Sen. Bob Casey. Cartwright represents the Scranton space, the place Biden was scheduled to journey on Thursday.
Casey stated in a tweet that Biden “sounded nice and is in good spirits,” and he appears to be like ahead to welcoming the president to Pennsylvania “someday quickly.”
Lawmakers who flew with Biden on AF1 now taking precautions
Biden traveled Wednesday to Somerset, Massachusetts, and a number of other high lawmakers flew aboard Air Pressure One. In Massachusetts, the president met with high native and state officers.
Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., who posted pictures shaking fingers with the president and standing by his aspect, examined detrimental for COVID forward of the journey, in accordance with Matt Corridoni, Auchincloss’ spokesman. He added that Auchincloss examined detrimental for COVID Thursday morning.
“He’s asymptomatic and can proceed testing recurrently,” Corridoni wrote in a tweet.
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., is getting examined for the virus on Thursday morning, in accordance with a spokesperson from his workplace.
Markey is recurrently examined and will stay masked and socially distanced per public well being pointers. Markey is double vaccinated and double boosted, in accordance with his workplace.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is following CDC steering as a detailed contact and can stay masked, in accordance with her workplace. She examined detrimental for COVID-19 forward as a part of White Home protocols.
In line with the CDC, shut contacts are really helpful to check for COVID-19 after 5 days.
– Rebecca Morin
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Psaki: White Home was ready for this
Former White Home press secretary Jen Psaki stated on MSNBC on Thursday that she wasn’t shocked that Biden contracted COVID and that the White Home had been making ready for months for that risk given the proportion of individuals within the nation who’ve examined optimistic.
“Each White Home, no matter whether or not you are going by means of a pandemic or not, is ready for the president to serve in a wide range of locations, places, together with recovering from COVID within the White Home,” she stated.
What the White Home should do over the subsequent couple of days, she stated, is present Biden working and “present him nonetheless lively and serving as president. And I am sure they’ll seemingly try this.”
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Harris examined detrimental
Vice President Kamala Harris was on Air Pressure Two touring to Charlotte, N.C., for occasions on excessive pace web and reproductive rights when information of Biden’s prognosis broke.
Her spokeswoman tweeted that Harris, who had COVID in late April, had examined detrimental for COVID-19.
Harris was final with Biden on Tuesday and spoke with him by cellphone Thursday morning, in accordance with press secretary Kirsten Allen.
“He’s in good spirits,” Harris later instructed reporters.
The vice chairman is not altering her schedule, however will keep masked, Allen tweeted.
– Francesca Chambers and Maureen Groppe
First woman Jill Biden examined detrimental
First woman Jill Biden, who’s touring, instructed reporters she spoke with the president Thursday morning.
“He is doing high-quality,” she stated. “He is feeling good.”
The primary woman examined detrimental Thursday morning in Detroit and can proceed her full schedule in Michigan and Georgia, stated her spokesman, Michael LaRosa.
She’s going to proceed following CDC pointers with masking and social distancing, LaRosa stated.
Biden’s signs
Biden’s signs embrace a runny nostril, fatigue and an occasional dry cough, which began Wednesday night, in accordance with a letter launched by Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician.
O’Connor stated he anticipates Biden will reply favorably to Paxlovid, “as most maximally protected sufferers do.”
Biden’s latest and upcoming journeys
Biden traveled Wednesday to Massachusetts, the place he introduced steps to fight local weather change.
He’d been scheduled to go to Pennsylvania on Thursday to speak about boosting regulation enforcement and decreasing gun violence, in addition to to attend a fundraiser.
Biden returned Sunday from a four-day journey to Israel and Saudi Arabia, the place officers stated prematurely he would attempt to “reduce contact” due to the rise in COVID variants. Biden substituted fist-bumps for handshakes in some cases, together with his controversial greeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Face masks have been required on Air Pressure One, and passengers have been examined for COVID, in accordance with pre-trip steering.
Will Biden hold working?
The White Home had acknowledged that Biden might catch the virus because the president balanced potential dangers with a return to common actions.
“I would not say it is only a matter of time,” White Home COVID-19 response coordinator Ashish Jha stated on April 26. “However, after all, it’s attainable that the president, like another American, might get COVID.”
Biden’s medical doctors beforehand assessed he might proceed to hold out his duties if he contracted the virus, then-White Home press secretary Jen Psaki stated in April.
“He has entry to the very best well being care on this planet,” Psaki stated on the time.
Jean-Pierre stated Thursday that Biden was persevering with to work.
“I simply spoke with @POTUS,” Jean-Pierre wrote on Twitter. “He stated he feels high-quality, and he’s working from the residence.”
Different notable COVID instances
Psaki herself examined optimistic in late March, months after a earlier bout of COVID.
Vice President Kamala Harris examined optimistic in late April, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff examined optimistic in March. Now-press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre examined optimistic in March.
Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who’s third in line for the presidency, examined optimistic in April, as did three Cupboard secretaries, a number of members of Congress and Biden’s sister.
Pelosi stated Thursday she hopes Biden’s signs “proceed to be (mild). That was my expertise.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s high infectious illness knowledgeable, examined optimistic in June. He later had a rebound an infection after taking Paxlovid.
Vaccines and White Home protocols
Biden has been vaccinated, and he acquired his first booster shot in September and a second on the finish of March.
As well as, the White Home had gone past CDC’s really helpful protocols to guard Biden from the virus. Anybody who meets with the president or is touring with him is examined first. When attainable, Biden can be saved socially distanced from others, Psaki beforehand stated. And the president is recurrently examined.
Nonetheless, Biden makes threat assessments, “identical to many People,” when he feels it’s vital for him to journey or attend an occasion in individual, Psaki beforehand stated.
“And definitely, that is one of many causes we need to be very clear that it’s attainable he might take a look at optimistic for COVID,” she stated on April 26.
Biden’s age places him at greater threat
Past the vaccines he is acquired, Biden might additional enhance his safety from extreme sickness by taking Paxlovid, which Harris was prescribed.
Biden is a comparatively excessive threat for a extreme case merely due to his age. On the optimistic aspect, he has no different main threat components reminiscent of weight problems, diabetes, bronchial asthma or power lung illness.
Biden has urged People to get vaccinated and to get their booster photographs, stressing that those that are protected can really feel safer.
“There will probably be optimistic instances in each workplace, even right here within the White Home,” Biden stated in December, when omicron was surging in Washington as he introduced new measures to fight the pandemic.
Different world leaders who’ve gotten COVID-19 this yr embrace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, Prime Minister Micheál Martin of Eire, President Andrzej Duda of Poland and President Arif Alvi of Pakistan.
Contributing: Ella Lee
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