Jill Biden, the first lady, tests positive for COVID-19
First Lady Jill Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19: A Closer Look
In an announcement that has grabbed headlines, First Lady Jill Biden has tested positive for Covid-19. The news was confirmed by Elizabeth Alexander, the first lady’s spokesperson, on a Monday evening. Fortunately, Mrs. Biden is currently experiencing only mild symptoms, and she is isolating at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The White House reported that President Joe Biden, who is 80 years old, has tested negative for the virus.
Despite this development, there are no immediate changes to White House Covid protocols, and the president’s schedule remains unaffected. An administration official emphasized this point, indicating that the White House is continuing with its established Covid precautions.
The timing of the first lady’s diagnosis is notable as President Biden had a busy day, delivering a Labor Day speech in Philadelphia earlier in the day. His schedule also includes a White House ceremony on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to present the Medal of Honor to an Army captain before departing for the G20 Summit in India on Thursday.
As details about the first lady’s condition emerged, CNN sought more information regarding the regular Covid testing cadence for both President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Questions also arose about whether the president was with his wife when she first exhibited Covid symptoms.
This isn’t the first time the Bidens have encountered Covid-19. Last summer, in August, the first lady tested positive for the virus while on vacation in South Carolina. Similarly, President Joe Biden had a positive Covid test result in July. In both cases, they experienced rebound cases shortly after being treated with Paxlovid.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously emphasized the stringent testing protocols in place for anyone meeting with the president. This came to light when members of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s delegation tested positive before a bilateral meeting. Jean-Pierre stated that anyone meeting with the president is routinely tested for Covid-19 to ensure safety.
Jill Biden’s diagnosis comes at a time when Covid-19 is once again in the spotlight, with the world approaching the fourth virus season since the pandemic began. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier in the summer indicated a slight uptick in hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and positive Covid-19 tests, although the numbers are not as high as in previous summers.
To put things in perspective, there were approximately four new hospital admissions for every 100,000 people nationwide in the week ending August 19, a level considered low according to CDC standards. Nevertheless, seven counties had high levels of Covid-19 hospitalizations, and 117 counties, approximately 3.6% of the country, fell into the medium threshold category, with a significant portion of them in Florida.
A new variant, BA.2.86, has garnered attention from scientists due to its high mutation rate, although it has only been detected in a small number of people globally. Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist at the Scripps Research Translational Institute, expressed concern about the virus’s ongoing evolution, stating that it keeps finding new ways to challenge humans and spread.
As the world grapples with Covid-19 and its variants, the health and safety of leaders like First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden remain a top priority, and the White House continues to take precautions to protect their well-being and that of those they interact with.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
