The First Lady, Jill Biden, received a positive COVID-19 test result, as confirmed by an official statement on Monday. However, President Biden’s test came back negative.
The statement clarified, “The First Lady has been diagnosed with COVID-19 tonight. She has mild symptoms and will be staying at their residence in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.” Last year, it was mentioned by her communications director that Mrs. Biden had been double-vaccinated and received two booster doses.
It’s worth noting that Mrs. Biden, who is 72, had tested positive for the virus in August 2022 while she was in a private home in South Carolina.
President Biden underwent a COVID-19 test upon the First Lady’s diagnosis, as White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed. “President Biden has tested negative this evening and will undergo routine tests throughout the week while also being observant for any symptoms.”
This news emerges as the nation witnesses a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Several hospitals have resumed mask mandates for both patients and their staff.
The efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing new infections has declined since the pandemic’s initial stages. However, they continue to be effective in minimizing severe illness and mortality. Consequently, leading public health organizations, including the CDC and WHO, continue to endorse their use for these protective benefits.
Navigating the pandemic has been a journey with its twists and turns. After Biden optimistically announced “freedom from the virus” in July 2021, the Delta variant made its presence felt in the late summer and early autumn. The emergence of the Omicron variant in the winter led to the reintroduction of mask mandates and remote working guidelines. Moreover, the residual economic repercussions of the pandemic pose ongoing challenges for the White House as Biden vies for another term.
However, the nation has largely moved beyond the dominant pandemic protocols over the past twelve months. At the White House, masks have become optional rather than commonplace, social distancing practices have been phased out, and remote working has dwindled. Notably, Biden no longer consistently addresses the nation about the virus or dedicates events to its containment.
