Biden tested negative for Corona

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US President Biden

Photo: JIM WATSON / AFP

The health of the US President is improving, after his first corona infection a good three weeks ago, he could soon have survived his relapse.

His Covid-19 test this Saturday was negative, but he wants to isolate himself further until a second negative test is found.

The President's physician, Kevin O'Connor, wrote in his last report of the day that the President will maintain these "strict isolation measures" "as a precaution".

They have been in effect since the discovery of his "rebound" infection on July 30th.

Biden, 79, contracted the virus a second time three days after being released from isolation.

This applied after his first infection reported on July 21.

Such relapses have been documented in a small minority of people who, like Biden, are prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid.

Nevertheless, it has been proven that Paxlovid reduces the risk of a severe course or even death in people who are particularly at risk.

Due to his age, Biden belongs to this group of people.

Biden's travels are on hold while he awaits a negative test.

He plans to travel to Kentucky on Monday to view the damage from a catastrophic flood and meet with families.

Cough "almost completely gone"

Biden is doing "greatly," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said to say he works more than eight hours a day.

O'Connor also wrote in his medical report that Biden "continues to feel very good."

During his first contraction with the virus, Biden's main symptoms were a runny nose, fatigue and a loose cough, his doctor said at the time.

During his renewed outbreak, only Biden's cough returned, according to O'Connor, and it was "almost completely gone" by Friday.

According to the White House, the US Democrat is fully vaccinated against the virus and has received two booster shots.

In the past few months, however, there have been numerous cases of corona infections in his government and in his environment - also among vaccinated people.

mamk/AP