Biden says he’s ‘fine,’ working after testing positive for COVID – SABC News

Joe Biden, the oldest man to serve as US president, has tested positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms and will continue to work but in isolation, the White House said Thursday.

Biden, 79, has a runny nose, fatigue and an occasional dry cough, symptoms he began experiencing late Wednesday, White House physician Kevin O’Connor said in a statement released Thursday.

Biden has started taking the antiviral treatment Paxlovid, O’Connor said.

Fully vaccinated and boosted twice, Biden said he was “doing well” in a video posted on his Twitter account.

In the 21-second video, he also said he was “working hard” and would continue his work.

Folks, I’m feeling great. Thanks for your concern. Just called Senator Casey, Congressman Cartwright and Mayor Cognetti (and my cousins ​​in Scranton!) to send my regrets for missing our event today.

Keeping busy! photo.twitter.com/uf7AsOg571

— President Biden (@POTUS) July 21, 2022

A photo on his Twitter account showed him smiling, wearing a blazer and sitting at a desk with papers.

The White House COVID coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha, said Biden’s oxygen levels were normal and that the president would self-isolate for five days and return to public events once he had a negative COVID test.

Biden’s illness comes as his administration grapples with rising inflation, global supply challenges, mass shootings and Russia’s ground invasion of Ukraine.

His illness forced the cancellation of a trip to Pennsylvania where Biden planned to present plans to ask Congress for $37 billion for crime prevention.

The White House gave an unusually detailed account of the president’s morning activities, including a series of phone calls to political allies.