Joe Biden tests positive for Covid-19 for second time within days

US President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time, just days after he was cleared to return to work.

Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time and is returning to isolation, just days after he was cleared to return to his presidential duties.

In a memo, White House doctor Kevin O’Connor attributed the result to “rebound” positivity from treatment the US President received.

Mr Biden “tested positive late Saturday morning, by antigen testing,” following four consecutive days of negative tests, and “will reinitiate strict isolation procedures,” Dr O’Connor wrote.

US President Joe Biden meets with CEOs about the economy in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 28, after returning to work following his first diagnosis. Picture: AFP

“This in fact represents ‘rebound’ positivity,” O’Connor said, referring to a situation in which patients treated with the drug Paxlovid — Mr Biden was —clear the virus but test positive after completing their course.

“The President has experienced no re-emergence of symptoms and continues to feel quite well. This being the case, there is no reason to reinitiate treatment at this time,” he added.

In a tweet, Mr Biden, 79, downplayed the situation.

The US President returned to work after isolating but has now tested positive again. Picture: AFP

“Folks, today I tested positive for Covid again. This happens with a small minority of folks,” he wrote. “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.” Biden cancelled planned trips to Delaware and Michigan, the White House said.

The second positive test came just three days after Dr O’Connor said Mr Biden had tested negative and no longer needed to isolate, which he had been doing since receiving a first positive result on July 21.

On Wednesday, he had ended his earlier five-day Covid isolation, appearing energetic as he told cheering aides that his quick recovery should inspire Americans to take advantage of free vaccines and treatments.

He contrasted his seemingly quick recovery to former US president Donald Trump’s more serious bout with the disease in October 2020, before vaccines were available.

“When my predecessor got Covid, he had to get helicoptered to Walter Reed Medical Centre,” Biden said. “He was severely ill. Thankfully, he recovered. When I got Covid, I worked from upstairs of the White House.”

He added that being fully vaccinated, taking preventive tests, then using the Paxlovid therapeutic prevents deaths and is available at no cost.

- with AFP

Originally published as Joe Biden tests positive for Covid-19 for second time within days