US First Lady Tests Positive For COVID-19

The US first lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19.

The White House said she is experiencing mild symptoms, while President Joe Biden has continued to test negative after recently recovering from the virus.

Her spokesperson, Elizabeth Alexander said the 71-year-old first lady tested negative earlier on Monday as part of her regular testing routine, but a PCR test taken after she developed cold-like symptoms came back positive.

White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre said according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC President Biden will wear a mask for 10 days when indoors and when in close proximity to others because he is considered a close contact of the first lady.

“We will also increase the president’s testing cadence and report those results,” Jen-Pierre said.

Vaccination
Jill Biden, who like her husband, has been vaccinated twice and boosted twice with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, has been prescribed a course of Paxlovid and will isolate in her vacation home for at least five days, her spokeswoman said.

The first lady is currently in South Carolina where the Bidens have been on vacation, and will return home after she receives two consecutive negative COVID tests, her spokeswoman added.

REUTERS/CO