President Joe Biden’s health is improving after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday while traveling in Las Vegas, according to the Physician to the President.
A statement issued by Dr. Kevin O’Connor says that the president completed his sixth dose of PAXLOVID – a prescription medicine used to treat mild-to-moderate coronavirus symptoms – on Saturday morning.
“He is still experiencing a loose, non-productive cough and hoarseness, but his symptoms continue to improve steadily,” Dr. O’Connor’s statement read. “His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain absolutely normal.”
Biden’s oxygen saturation is “excellent,” and his lungs remain clear, Dr. O’Connor added.
It was determined through genomic sequencing that Biden, 81, contracted the KP .2.3 variant; according to the CDC, this variant accounts for approximately a third of new infections in the U.S.
“The president continues to tolerate treatment well and will continue PAXLOVID as planned,” Dr. O’Connor said. “He continues to perform all of his presidential duties.”
After first being diagnosed, Dr. O’Connor reported that Biden was experiencing “upper respiratory symptoms [including] a runny nose, non-productive cough and general malaise.”
Biden was slated to speak at the UnidosUS event in Las Vegas on Wednesday afternoon as part of an effort to rally Hispanic voters ahead of the November election, but he was unable to after testing positive.