On Monday evening, the White House announced that Jill Biden had tested positive for COVID-19 while on vacation in Delaware, and is currently experiencing only mild symptoms.
Her initial diagnosis of COVID-19 was in August 2020, as well as a subsequent rebound case later that month which was treated with Paxlovid.
This news comes as a new variant of the virus (Pirola) has emerged, sparking yet another wave of concern over the spread of COVID-19.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a follow-up statement confirming that Joe Biden tested negative for COVID on Monday evening.
The Bidens spent the weekend in Rehoboth, Delaware, with Joe returning to the White House after delivering a Labor Day speech in Philadelphia while Jill remained in Rehoboth Beach.
President Joe Biden returns to the White House after spending Labor Day Weekend in Delaware and PA. pic.twitter.com/uMHsO5aYll
— DJ Judd (@DJJudd) September 4, 2023
This evening, the First Lady tested positive for COVID-19.
She is currently experiencing only mild symptoms. She will remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. pic.twitter.com/drRRQ49gQ9
— Elizabeth Alexander (@EAlexander46) September 5, 2023
Following the First Lady’s positive test for COVID-19, President Biden was administered a COVID test this evening. The President tested negative. The President will test at a regular cadence this week and monitor for symptoms.https://t.co/SyGs7w5x7T
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) September 5, 2023
The White House announced in August 2022 that Jill Biden had been twice vaccinated and twice boosted when she contracted her first case of COVID.
Statement from the First Lady’s Communications Director Elizabeth Alexander
After testing negative for COVID-19 on Monday during her regular testing cadence, the First Lady began to develop cold-like symptoms late in the evening. She tested negative again on a rapid antigen test, but a PCR test came back positive.
The First Lady is double-vaccinated, twice boosted, and only experiencing mild symptoms. She has been prescribed a course of Paxlovid and, following CDC guidance, will isolate from others for at least five days.
Close contacts of the First Lady have been notified. She is currently staying at a private residence in South Carolina and will return home after she receives two consecutive negative COVID tests.
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.
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 30, 2022
