President of the United States, Joe Biden, has tested negative for Covid-19 after five days in isolation. White House Doctor Dr. Kevin O’Connor disclosed the information on Tuesday evening in a memorandum. 

“Yesterday evening, and then again, this morning, he [Biden] tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by antigen testing. Given these reassuring factors, the President will discontinue his strict isolation measures,” Dr. O’Connor wrote in the memo.”Given these reassuring factors, the President will discontinue his strict isolation.”

The memo added that President Biden was conscientiously committed to protecting the staff of the White House and members of the secret service. Therefore, Mr. Biden “will wear a well-fitting mask for 10 full days any time he is around others.”

The President addressed Americans at the White House on Wednesday, saying he was “feeling great,” and has returned to his duty post in his office. While addressing the nation from the Rose Garden, the 79-year-old said his symptoms were mild and that a serious Covid-19 case was averted because of vaccines, booster shots, and the antiviral treatment he received. He described them as “lifesaving tools.”

“I got through it with no fear. A very mild discomfort because of these essentials, lifesaving tools. And guess what, I want to remind everybody: They are free. They are convenient, and they are safe, and they work,” Biden said.

As usual, President Biden would not end his speech without crediting himself for the successes in the fight against the virus. He also contrasted his handling of the pandemic with that of his predecessor, Donald Trump, saying the former president jetted to a place where he would receive special treatment.

“When my predecessor got Covid, he had to get helicoptered to Walter Reed Medical Center. He was severely ill; thankfully, he recovered. When I got Covid, I worked from upstairs of the White House and the offices upstairs … for a five-day period,” Biden said.

“The difference is vaccinations, of course. But also new three new tools free to all and widely available. You don’t need to be President to get these tools to use for your defense. In fact, the same booster shots, the same at-home test, the same treatment that I got, is available to you. My administration made sure that all Americans across the country, from all walks of life, have free access to those tools,” he added.

Continuing his speech, President Biden urged Americans to take advantage of vaccinations and other provisions of the government to curb the spread of the virus. He said since his government took over, Covid-related deaths have reduced by 90%, but there was still a need to take the recommended prescriptions. The President stressed that taking the precautions might not prevent people from contracting the virus.

“The reality is that BA.5 means many of us are still going to get Covid even if we take the precautions. That doesn’t mean we’re doing anything wrong,” Biden said. “Unfortunately, this Covid is still with us as it has been for two-and-a-half years. But our fight against Covid is making a huge difference. What’s different now is our ability to protect ourselves from serious illness due to Covid.”

President Biden tested positive on Thursday and has been in isolation since then. Read more. Mr. Biden was fully vaccinated and has even received two booster shots. First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Camala Harris had close contact with the President before he tested positive, but both women have consistently tested negative for the virus. 

The President completed a five-day course of Paxlovid, the prescribed medication by the US Food and Drug Administration for people with moderate symptoms of the virus. 

The U.S president will now wear a face mask consistently for ten days for fear of the recurrence of the virus. He will also be tested frequently for his safety and the safety of his staff.