Biden tests negative following coronavirus diagnosis; will address reporters in-person

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden tested negative Wednesday for the coronavirus following a five-day regiment of PAXLOVID treatment, according to his physician.

The president has been isolated for five days, and his symptoms "have been steadily improving, and are almost completely resolved," Dr. Kevin O'Connor said in a letter circulated by the White House. Biden tested negative late Tuesday and again early Wednesday.

"Given these reassuring factors, the President will discontinue his strict isolation measures," said O'Connor.

Biden will continue to wear a face covering when in the presence of others for the next 10 days, and his doctor said that due to what is known as "rebound" positivity in "a small percentage of patients" treated with PAXLOVID, the president will increase the frequency of his testing regiment "both to protect people around him and to assure early detection of any return of viral replication."

PAXLOVID is a pill developed by drugmaker Pfizer to treat those infected with COVID-19.

The president is slated to address reporters in-person later Wednesday in remarks from the Rose Garden. He tested positive for the coronavirus last Thursday after traveling to the state of Massachusetts to address challenges posed by climate change.