Biden likely infected with BA5 Covid variant, physician says

Independent

Joe Biden was likely infected with the BA5 subvariant of Omicron, the current dominant Covid-19 variant in the US, according to his physician, who reported that the US president’s symptoms “continue to improve” after he tested positive on 21 July.

The BA5 subvariant of the highly contagious disease accounts for nearly 80 per cent of recent infections in the US, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mr Biden has completed a second full day of the antiviral treatment Paxlovid and will contine the treatment regimen “as planned,” Physician to the President Dr Kevin O’Connor reported on 23 July.

The president – who has received both doses of a two-dose vaccine, as well as two additional “booster” shots – is experiencing sore throat, a runny nose, loose cough and body aches, while his pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature are normal, according to Dr O’Connor.

His oxygen saturation “continues to be excellent” and his lungs are clear, Dr O’Connor said.

The 79-year-old president is also taking Tylenol, using an albuterol inhaler two to three times a day, and is taking a low-dose aspirin as an alternative type of blood thinner, according to Dr O’Connor.

Mr Biden is working virtually with minimal interactions with staff, according to the White House. He appeared virtually during a broadcasted meeting with his economic team on 22 July.

“He is still putting eight-plus hours of work a day,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing on Friday. “He wants to remind Americans to get vaccinated because in his own words, it matters…