President Biden has developed a sore throat and body aches but is reacting well to the Paxlovid treatment for COVID-19, according to his doctor on Saturday.
Dr. Kevin C. O’Connor, President Biden’s physician, said preliminary sequencing indicated Biden has contracted the BA5 variant, which is the most common coronavirus variant in the U.S. at present.
“President Biden completed his second full day of PAXLOVID last night,” O’Connor said. “His symptoms continue to improve. His primary symptoms, though less troublesome, now include sore throat, rhinorrhea, loose cough and body aches.”
Paxlovid is authorized for cases of “mild to moderate COVID-19.” The drug is effective in curbing the worst symptoms of the virus and shows promise in treating those at high risk of COVID.
Along with Paxlovid, the president is drinking lots of water as well as taking Tylenol and has an albuterol inhaler “he uses as needed for cough,” his doctor said.
“His voice remains deep,” O’Connor said. “His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain entirely normal. His oxygen saturation continues to be excellent on room air. His lungs remain clear.”
Biden tested positive for COVID on Thursday morning, according to the White House. The president is fully vaccinated and double boosted.
“This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms. He has begun taking Paxlovid. Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence.
“Consistent with White House protocol for positive COVID cases, which goes above and beyond CDC guidance, he will continue to work in isolation until he tests negative,” Jean-Pierre continued. “Once he tests negative, he will return to in-person work.
On Wednesday, the day prior to his positive test, Biden flew on Air Force One on a trip to Massachusetts with several officials and lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ed Markey, D-Mass.
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