President Biden left the White House for the first time since falling afflicted with the coronavirus last month on Sunday, heading to a reunion with first wife Jill Biden in their home state of Delaware.
The president tested negative on Saturday, paving the path for him to be released from isolation, which had lasted longer than planned due to a rebound case of the virus. Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the White House physician, said in a Saturday update that Mr. Biden will maintain his “strict isolation measures” until the results of a second negative test “out of an excess of caution.”
According to O’Connor, the president received a negative test result in the morning and will “safely return to public participation and presidential travel.”
Mr. Biden remarked before boarding Marine One outside the White House, “I’m feeling wonderful.”
The Bidens will spend the day at Rehoboth Beach, a favorite vacation spot.
Mr. Biden tested positive for the virus on July 21, and he started taking the antiviral medicine Paxlovid, which is meant to reduce the probability of significant sickness from the infection. Mr. Biden’s vital signs were normal during his illness, according to his doctor, but his symptoms included a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and body pains.
After many days of isolation, the president tested negative on July 26 and 27, when he delivered an address in the Rose Garden, saying Americans they can “live without fear” of the virus if they receive booster doses, test themselves for the virus if they get ill, and seek treatment.
Mr. Biden, however, contracted a rare rebound case of COVID-19 on July 30, requiring him to isolate once again. He addressed statements from the White House balcony on occasion, like as after an al Qaeda leader was killed or a positive employment report was released.
He kept testing positive until Saturday, when he got his first negative result. The first lady stayed in Delaware while the president was alone in the White House.
The Bidens will go to Kentucky on Monday to see flood damage and meet with families.