President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time Thursday morning, his office said.
Biden, 79, has “very mild symptoms” and is taking Paxlovid, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Biden is experiencing a runny nose, dry cough and fatigue, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said. The physician to the president, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, said Biden’s symptoms started Wednesday evening.
The president went to bed feeling fine but didn’t sleep well and subsequently tested positive in the morning as a part of routine testing, Jha added.
Biden tweeted that he’s “doing great” and “keeping busy!”
Jean-Pierre said an update will be provided every day as Biden “continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation” at the White House.
Close contacts, “including any Members of Congress and any members of the press who interacted with the President during yesterday’s travel,” will be informed on Thursday, Jean-Pierre said.
Biden traveled to Somerset, Massachusetts, on Wednesday where he announced executive actions to address climate change. Biden delivered his speech outside and met with local officials.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who was with Biden at his event Wednesday, tested negative on Thursday, a spokesperson said.
