On Saturday (July 30), President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time this month, in what the White House is calling a “rebound case.”
White House Doctor Dr. Kevin O’Connor, noted that the President was prepared for the potential of another positive test, saying in a statement: “As described last week, acknowledging the potential for so-called ‘rebound’ COVID positivity observed in a small percentage of patients treated with PAXLOVID the President increased his testing cadence, both to protect people around him and to assure early detection of any return of viral replication.”
The statement reveals that on Tuesday evening, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning, Biden tested negative for COVID-19, but that on Saturday morning, an antigen test showed Biden was positive for the virus.
Describing the positive test, O’Connor states the reinfection represents “rebound positivity,” adding that Biden wasn’t experiencing any symptoms and that restarting treatment wouldn’t be necessary.
O’Connor, however, acknowledged that Biden would enter “strict isolation procedures.”
Biden also addressed his isolation in a tweet announcing his positive test.
Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Biden released a brief statement, saying, “Folks, today I tested positive for COVID again. This happens with a small minority of folks. I’ve got no symptoms but I am going to isolate for the safety of everyone around me. I’m still at work, and will be back on the road soon.”
Biden’s announcement follows an exit from isolation on Wednesday (July 27) after he tested negative for COVID-19, 6 days after testing positive on July 21 and presenting with minor symptoms.
