U.S. first lady Jill Biden has contracted COVID-19, developing cold-like symptoms late Monday evening, the White House said Tuesday.
Biden is “only experiencing mild symptoms” of the coronavirus and has been prescribed the Paxlovid medication, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. Biden twice tested negative for COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test Monday, but a more precise polymerase chain reaction test later came back positive.
The Paxlovid prescription is the same treatment her husband, President Joe Biden, received when he recently contracted the virus and then also suffered a rebound case.
The 71-year-old first lady is double-vaccinated against the virus and twice boosted.
Following guidance from the country’s Centers for Disease Control, Jill Biden will isolate from others for at least five days, and people who have come in close contact with her have been notified, the White House said.
The Bidens and their family have been vacationing in recent days at an Atlantic oceanside mansion in South Carolina owned by a Democratic Party campaign donor. The White House said Jill Biden will return to Washington after she receives two consecutive negative COVID tests.
President Biden tested negative for COVID Tuesday morning on an antigen test, the White House said. But since he is in close contact with his wife, the White House said he will wear a face mask for 10 days when indoors and in close proximity to others.
The White House also said the president would be tested more frequently for COVID in the coming days.
Washington —
