President Joe Biden on Thursday tested positive for Covid-19, according to a statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who added that Biden is experiencing "very mild symptoms."

Biden tests positive for Covid-19

According to Jean-Pierre's statement, Biden, who is 79 years old, fully vaccinated, and twice boosted, tested positive Thursday morning and has begun isolating at the White House.

Biden "will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time" and has "been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone … and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence," Jean-Pierre said.

Biden has also started taking Paxlovid, an antiviral developed by Pfizer that has been shown to reduce hospitalizations and death from Covid-19 by 90% among patients most at-risk of developing a severe case of the disease.

Jean-Pierre said that Biden will continue working in isolation until he tests negative for Covid-19, after which he will resume working in person. Until then, the White House will provide daily updates on Biden's health.

The White House Medical Unit has also begun informing any close contacts to Biden of his positive status. According to Jean-Pierre, Biden's most recent test for Covid-19 was on Tuesday in which he tested negative. (White House statement, 7/21; Rogers/Shear, New York Times, 7/21; Miller/Megerian, Associated Press, 7/21)