Biden Nearly Fully Recovered From COVID, President's Physician Says
US leader completed five-day course of antiviral drug Paxlovid after testing positive last Thursday
President Joe Biden's COVID-19 symptoms are now "almost completely resolved," said Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the president's physician. Biden completed a five-day course of the antiviral drug Paxlovid Monday night, O'Connor said, and Biden’s pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain normal. Biden now feels well enough to resume his physical exercise routine, but he will continue isolation Tuesday for a fifth day. The president has been isolated in the White House since he tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday. Health officials believe Biden contracted the BA.5 variant of omicron. Dr. Ashish Jha, White House coronavirus response coordinator, said the BA.5 variant is now responsible for 75% to 80% of COVID-19 cases in the United States. Biden, who is fully vaccinated and double boosted, experienced mild symptoms over the past five days, including "some residual nasal congestion and minimal hoarseness." Biden has canceled all in-person events for this week, but he will continue to attend events virtually until he is cleared from isolation. First lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both tested negative on Monday. Jill Biden is residing in the family home in Delaware while the president is in isolation. Harris was cleared Monday to attend an event in Indiana on abortion.