The 79-year-old US president tested positive on Thursday morning, according to White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre, and will work in isolation until he tests negative. The White House said he is fully vaccinated with two additional boosters and was experiencing “very mild symptoms.” Jean-Pierre said in a statement: “Out of an abundance of transparency, the White House will provide daily updates on the president’s condition as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.” Kevin O’Connor, the president’s doctor, said in a letter that Biden had been dealing with a runny nose, dry cough and fatigue. He added: “The president has been fully vaccinated and boosted twice, so I expect he will respond positively, as most maximally protected patients do. Early use of [Pfizer’s drug] Paxlovid in this case provides additional protection against serious diseases.’ The president had been scheduled to travel to Pennsylvania to make announcements on criminal justice and policing on Thursday, but canceled that trip, as well as a planned weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. Shortly after the White House announced the diagnosis, Biden tweeted: “Guys, I’m doing great. Thanks for your interest.” The post said he had called politicians in Pennsylvania “to send my regrets for missing our event today” and that he had “been busy!” Vice President Kamala Harris’ office announced Thursday that she has tested negative for Covid-19, and First Lady Jill Biden tweeted the same. Biden took office on a promise to regain control of the pandemic, accusing his predecessor Donald Trump of letting the disease spread out of control. But while the president has overseen a successful vaccine rollout, his efforts to eradicate the virus have been hampered by low uptake of the shots in some areas and new variants that have proven more virulent. Since April, the number of cases has risen in the US from about 28,000 new infections a day to 120,000. Deaths remained steady, however, at around 400 a day. So far the president has avoided contracting the virus. On the campaign trail in 2020, officials described him as very strict about making sure those around him wore masks and didn’t get too close to him. Paxlovid is currently available to those in the US who have mild to moderate symptoms and are at high risk of developing severe disease. Biden has previously spoken strongly about its importance in controlling the spread of the virus, and his administration has allowed pharmacists to prescribe it in an effort to maximize its use. There is evidence, however, that some patients have experienced “rebound” effects once they stop taking the drug. That’s the case with Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci, who said symptoms were much worse when they returned days after he appeared to have cleared the illness. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, said Biden is at high risk for Covid-19 because of his age, but has no underlying conditions that would make him more vulnerable. “He was quickly given Paxlovid, which may give him additional protection as he is at high risk of hospitalization. They have pulled out all the stops,” he said. “He should do really well. . . but it’s never certain.” The Pfizer drug is given with ritonavir, an HIV drug, which ensures that the active ingredients stay in the body long enough to fight the virus. But ritonavir can’t be taken with many common medications, so Biden may have to stop taking some of his regular medications. In his last medical, the US president’s doctor said he was prescribed the blood thinner Eliquis, the cholesterol treatment rosuvastatin and a nasal spray for allergic rhinitis. The National Institutes of Health recommends that patients taking Paxlovid reduce their dose of Eliquis and said they may be advised to stop taking rosuvastatin during treatment and for at least two to three days afterward. He may also be advised to stop taking the nasal spray. Topol said no medical problems would be caused by temporarily stopping these drugs, even if Biden needed to take two courses of Paxlovid, over a 10-day period.
