President Joe Biden has now tested negative for COVID-19 on two separate tests and will end his isolation.
Biden, 79, is fully vaccinated and double boosted.
In a memo from Biden's physician Kevin O’Connor, he explained that Biden had completed a five-day course of the antiviral treatment Paxlovid and tested negative both Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
"His symptoms have been steadily improving, and are almost completely resolved," the doctor wrote. "Given these reassuring factors, the President will discontinue his strict isolation measures."
O'Connor added that Biden will be wearing a mask for the next ten days, "any time he is around others."
In a tweet, Biden wrote, "back to the Oval. Thanks to Doc for the good care, and to all of you for your support." He included a photo of a negative Abbott antigen test. Back to the Oval.
Thanks to Doc for the good care, and to all of you for your support. pic.twitter.com/Cfzn1zAKJF
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 27, 2022
Biden later delivered remarks from the Rose Garden at the White House. JUST IN: Crowd in the White House Rose Garden cheers when Pres. Biden announces that he "just tested negative for COVID-19 after isolating for five days.”
“Thankfully, I’ll now be able to return to work in person.” https://t.co/Ky37rHavmx pic.twitter.com/ApDpB99X58
— ABC News (@ABC) July 27, 2022
During his speech, Biden said that his speedy recovery is a "real statement of where we are in the fight against COVID-19."
"Even if you get COVID, you can avoid winding up with a severe case. You can now prevent most COVID deaths, and that's because of three free tools the Biden administration has invested in and distributed this past year: booster shots, at-home tests [and] easy-to-use, effective treatments. We got through COVID with no fear, I got through it with no fear, a very mild discomfort because of these essential, life-saving tools," he said.
Biden continued, "COVID was killing thousands of Americans a day when I got here. That isn't the case anymore. You can live without fear by doing what I did, get boosted, get tested and get treatment. At the same time, my administration remains vigilant. Right now, we have the tools to keep you from getting severely ill or dying from COVID, but we're not stopping there."
