First Lady Jill Biden tests positive for COVID-19

The office of the First Lady Jill Biden has confirmed that she has tested positive for COVID-19. Her positive result comes hot on the heels of President Joe Biden testing positive for COVID-19, twice in 10 days.

Jill Biden’s office confirmed that she “began to develop cold-like symptoms” on Monday night before testing positive on Tuesday.

Elizabeth Alexander, who is Jill Biden’s communications director, confirmed the positive test in a statement. “The First Lady is double-vaccinated, twice boosted, and only experiencing mild symptoms. She has been prescribed a course of Paxlovid and, following CDC guidance, will isolate from others for at least five days,” Alexander said. “She tested negative again on a rapid antigen test, but a PCR test came back positive.”

Jill Biden is “currently staying at a private residence in South Carolina and will return home after she receives two consecutive negative COVID tests,” Alexander added.

A White House official told CNN that Jill Biden will continue to do work for her position as professor at Northern Virginia Community College during her isolation.

Joe Biden’s Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed on Twitter that he took an ATK test on Tuesday morning and is negative. Jean-Pierre went on to say that Biden will take extra care due to Jill Biden’s diagnosis.

“The President tested negative for COVID this morning on an antigen test,” Jean-Pierre said. “Consistent with CDC guidance because he is a close contact of the First Lady, he will mask for 10 days when indoors and in close proximity to others. We will also increase the President’s testing cadence and report those results.”

Elizabeth Alexander also confirmed that COVID protocol will be followed for anyone who has been in recent contact with Jill Biden.

“Close contacts of the First Lady have been notified,” Alexander said. “She is currently staying at a private residence in South Carolina and will return home after she receives two consecutive negative COVID tests.”