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First Lady Jill Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19

On Tuesday morning (August 16), the White House confirmed that First Lady Dr. Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19. The diagnosis followed the Biden family’s vacation in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and mere weeks after President Joe Biden was diagnosed with the virus.

At a Glance:

  • First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while vacationing in South Carolina
  • Joe Biden tested negative and plans to return to Washington
  • Jill Biden will remain in isolation in Kiawah Island

First Lady Jill Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19

As the Biden family vacation in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, came to a close, Jill Biden began to develop “cold-like symptoms”. Shortly after, the first lady, who is double-vaccinated and twice boosted, tested positive for COVID-19, as confirmed by her communications director.

“After testing negative for COVID-19 on Monday during her regular testing cadence, the First Lady began to develop cold-like symptoms late in the evening. She tested negative again on a rapid antigen test, but a PCR test came back positive,” explained Jill Biden’s communications director Elizabeth Alexander. Those close to the first lady have been notified of her positive test.

Jill Biden’s office confirms that her symptoms are mild. She’s currently fighting the illness with a round of Paxlovid treatment, Pfizer’s antiviral drug, and will isolate for at least five days.

The first lady is still in Kiawah Island with the President, who is preparing to return to Washington for a bill signing. “[Jill Biden] is currently staying at a private residence in South Carolina and will return home after she receives two consecutive negative COVID tests,” Elizabeth Alexander said.

President Joe Biden Tests Negative for COVID-19

Last month, President Joe Biden went through his own bout of COVID-19, making a full recovery in late July before testing positive and returning to isolation a few days later. As of now, however, he remains negative for the virus.

Despite his wife’s positive test, President Biden tested negative for COVID on Tuesday morning. That said, he will continue to wear a mask indoors for 10 days following exposure in accordance with the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We will also increase the President’s testing cadence and report those results,” added White House officials.

According to White House officials, this is Jill Biden’s first positive COVID diagnosis. While President Joe Biden recovered from the virus in isolation at the White House, she stayed in Delaware in an effort to avoid contracting the illness.

Unfortunately, the positive test means she will be unable to attend the previously scheduled Wounded Warriors event in Florida on Thursday.