Biden's Covid-19 symptoms are "almost completely resolved" after days of treatment
Washington DC - President Joe Biden is continuing to recover from Covid-19 after testing positive for the virus last week, his doctor said in an update on Monday.
Biden’s mild symptoms are "almost completely resolved," Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the White House physician, said in a public statement.
The president’s only remaining complaints are minor nasal congestion and slight hoarseness.
He has completed the fourth day of treatment with the antiviral drug Paxlovid and is expected to complete it Monday night.
"(Biden) continues to tolerate treatment well," O’Connor said.
Biden (79) tested positive last Thursday and experienced mild symptoms that have evolved over the days since.
He is isolating in the White House residence and working remotely.
Biden was fully vaccinated and boosted
Despite his age, Biden’s prognosis is excellent because he is fully vaccinated and received two booster shots, the most recent one about four months ago.
Biden was infected with the BA.5 subvariant of omicron, which doctors say is the most contagious strain of Covid-19 identified so far.
BA.5 is spreading widely across the US, driving up caseloads. Hospitalizations and deaths are also rising, but at a slower pace due to the prevalence of vaccinations and immunity against serious diseases conferred by previous infections.
Cover photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP