Does Joe Biden have COVID? Concerns rise for fully-vaxxed POTUS as aide gets infected
A White House official, who works closely with President Joe Biden, tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, December 20, amid rising concerns around the deadly Omicron variant in the US. The mid-level staffer was reportedly diagnosed shortly after he spent time with the 79-year-old president at Air Force One. This has prompted netizens to grow concerned about the President's chances to get Covid, especially since he is already dealing with existing ailments.
Many speculated the chances of Biden testing Covid-19 positive in spite of being fully vaccinated. The possibility is not rare, as Democrat Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker recently tested positive for the virus despite getting the jab. Meanwhile, US just recorded its very first Omicron death as an unvaccinated Texas man in his 50s succumbed to the new variant of the virus. The individual had contracted Covid in the past and was suffering from underlying ailments. His condition worsened so much that treatment with Regeneron antibody therapy failed to save his life.
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A day before his 79th birthday on November 19, Joe Biden had gone in or a routine health checkup. During colonoscopy, doctors detected a polyp that was "benign" but believed to be premalignant. White House physician Dr Kevin O'Connor said in a letter released on November 24 that the polyp which was identified as "tubular adenoma" was a "slow-growing, but thought to be pre-cancerous lesion" was successfully removed and that it required no further medical action. Before Thanksgiving, it was revealed that Joe Biden is "healthy and vigorous" and would continue to perform duties in full force.
Barely a month later, concerns for Biden's health arise again with his close aide getting down with Covid-19. White House Press Secretary updated on the staffer's health situation in a press release, stating, "On Monday morning, a mid-level staff member, who does not regularly contact with the President, received a positive result for a Covid-19 test. Three days earlier, on Friday, that staff member spent approximately 30 minutes in proximity to the President on Air Force One, on the way from Orange, South Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.”
The staffer, who is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, had tested negative prior to boarding the flight. As per the latest update, the President has tested negative in a PCR test for the virus. "The President is tested on a regular basis. As part of the regular testing, the President received an antigen test Sunday, and tested negative,” Psaki stated, adding, "As CDC guidance does not fully require vaccinated people to quarantine after an exposure, the President will continue with his daily schedule.”