WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second day in a row, in what appears to be a rare case of “flareback” after receiving medical treatment with an antiviral drug.
In a letter announcing the positive result, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the White House physician, said Sunday that the president “continues to do well” and will continue to work from the presidential residence while he remains in isolation.
Biden tested positive on Saturday, forcing him to cancel his travels and events while isolating himself for at least five days, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
After testing positive for the virus on July 21, the 79-year-old Biden was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid. He tested negative for the virus on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, allowing him to come out of isolation, but continued to wear a mask indoors.
Research indicates that a minority of patients who are treated with Paxlovid experience a resurgence of the virus. The fact that there has been an outbreak and not a reinfection is possibly a positive sign for Biden’s health once she has overcome the disease.
“The fact that the president has overcome his illness and has no symptoms is a good sign and makes it less likely that he will develop prolonged COVID,” said Dr. Albert Ho, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Washington’s school of public health. Yale.
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