21st December, 2021
U.S.President Joe Biden will be tested for COVID-19 on Wednesday after he got in close contact to a White House aide, who tested positive.
Biden who had been vaccinated and had taken the booster tested negative, in two tests carried out on Sunday and Monday.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement that Biden tested negative through an antigen test Sunday and a PCR test Monday.
Biden came in contact with the unidentified aide on Friday.
The announcement comes amid a surge in coronavirus infections in the United States driven by an upsurge in the delta and omicron variants.
Meanwhile, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted Monday that he had tested positive for Covid-19.
“Just now, I received a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, following the positive rapid test this morning. I am experiencing some cold-like symptoms and will continue to quarantine and work from home throughout the week”.
Hogan urged Marylanders to go for the booster vaccine as Omicron variant spreads.
The District of Columbia on Monday also reimposed the city’s indoor mask mandate, expanded options for at-home tests and tightened the vaccination requirement for district employees.
Biden plans to outline a more aggressive COVID-19 strategy in remarks today.