White House doctor: Biden is 'tolerating treatment well,' symptoms improving
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden's symptoms have improved after his first day of treatment for COVID-19, according to a summary from his doctor released by the White House Friday.
"The president is tolerating treatment well," Dr. Kevin O'Connor wrote in a memo.
Biden coughed and apologized for his raspy voice at a Friday afternoon video meeting his economic and energy advisors that was briefly broadcast by the White House.
“I’m feeling much better than I sound,” Biden said,.
He flashed a thumbs up when reporters asked how he's doing.
Biden is working at least eight hours a day, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
He's eating well and joked that his one regret is his appetite hasn't changed, said COVID Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha, who spoke with Biden by video.
"He ate his breakfast and lunch, fully. He actually showed me his plate," Jha said.
Biden's temperature hit 99.4 on Thursday night but returned to normal after the president took Tylenol, according to O'Connor.
Biden still has a runny nose, fatigue and an occasional "loose" cough.
"His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation remain entirely normal, on room air," O'Connor wrote.
Biden tested positive Thursday during a regular screening for the virus. He is isolating in the White House until he tests negative.
Seventeen people were determined to have been in close contact with Biden, including lawmakers, senior staff and Vice President Kamala Harris
Harris tested negative Friday morning and is not experiencing symptoms, said Kirsten Allen, press secretary for the vice president.
Harris last met with Biden on Tuesday and spoke to the president on the phone Thursday morning.
The White House has emphasized that Biden is well protected because of his vaccination, two booster shots and because he is taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid.
"He is about as well protected for this virus as possible," COVID Response Coordinator Jha said Friday on ABC's Good Morning America
Biden's doctor checks in with him regularly and his team is consulting with infectious disease experts around the country, according to Jha.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID: Doctor says Biden is 'tolerating treatment,' symptoms improving