Washington — End his most recent Covid-19 isolationPresident Biden left the White House on Sunday for the first time since becoming infected with the coronavirus last month and headed for a reunion with First Lady Jill Biden in their home state of Delaware.
The president had tested negative on Saturday, paving the way for coming out of an isolation that has lasted longer than expected due to a rebound case of the virus. The White House physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, had said in his Saturday: update that Mr Biden, “in an abundance of caution”, would continue his “strict isolation measures” pending a second negative test.
O’Connor said sunday that the president returned a negative test in the morning and “will return safely to public engagement and presidential travel.”
“I feel great,” Mr Biden said before boarding the Marine One outside the White House.
The Bidens are expected to spend the day at Rehoboth Beach, a popular vacation spot.
Mr Biden originally tested positive on July 21 and he started taking the antiviral medication Paxlovíd, which is intended to reduce the risk of serious illness from the virus. According to his doctor, Mr. Biden is normal during his infection, but his symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
After several days in isolation, the president tested negative on July 26 and 27 when he gave a speech in the Rose Garden and told Americans they can live “without fear” of the virus if they receive booster injections. , testing themselves for the virus when they get sick and seeking treatments.
But Mr Biden caught a rare rebound case of COVID-19 on July 30, forcing him to re-isolate. He occasionally made speeches from a White House balcony, such as when he flagged the assassination of an al-Qaeda leader or a strong jobs report.
He continued to test positive until Saturday, when he got his first negative result. While the president secluded herself at the White House residence, the first lady remained in Delaware.
The Bidens are expected to visit Kentucky on Monday to review flood damage and meet with families.