First Lady Jill Biden Tests Positive For COVID Weeks After President Joe Biden

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden recently tested positive for Covid-19, catching the novel virus a week after her husband, President Joe Biden, finally escaped the disease's clutches. As shared by PEOPLE Elizabeth Alexander, the first lady's communications director, announced the politician's health status in a statement on Tuesday, August 16.

After spending weeks apart from her husband because of his Covid-19 diagnosis, the First Lady of the United States has been forced into isolation. This unfortunate event occurred while the former professor of English enjoyed quality time with her family on Kiawah Island in South Carolina.

"After testing negative for COVID-19 on Monday during her regular testing cadence, the First Lady began to develop cold-like symptoms late in the evening," Alexander revealed in her statement. The communications director noted that the 71-year-old initially tested negative on a rapid antigen test. However, a PCR test confirmed that the "Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops" author had contracted the virus.

Fortunately, the Democrat only suffered from minor symptoms and has been prescribed a course of Paxlovid by caregivers. Per CDC guidelines, the First Lady would be isolated for at least five days. In her statement, Alexander revealed that the Biden Breast Health Initiative founder would quarantine at a private residence in the area until she received two consecutive negative Covid-19 tests.

The illness hit President Biden nearly a month ago, and his wife's positive diagnosis came ten days after the politician officially defeated the virus. How the former English instructor became exposed to the virus remains unclear as the 71-year-old initially tested negative after her husband contracted the disease.

Like the former vice-president, the "Where the Light Enters" author has been twice boosted and double-vaccinated against coronavirus. However, these boosters could not save the Bidens from the illness. As revealed by BBC News, the former Delaware Senator tested positive for Covid-19 on 21 July.

This diagnosis came after the politician tested negative for the virus four times that week. Following the positive confirmation, the President isolated himself to protect those around him. This marked the second time Biden has been diagnosed with coronavirus, a situation the "Promises to Keep" author's physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor addressed in a candid letter.

According to the doctor, the White House resident did not require additional treatment since his second diagnosis was a "rebound infection." Instead, the 79-year-old Pennsylvania native remained under "close observation" because of his previous use of Paxlovid. Dr. O'Connor believed this antiviral medicine has contributed to a "small percentage" of Covid patients experiencing rebound tests.

Last month, The Blast reported that the Latino community bared their fangs at the First Lady following what was perceived as a racist statement. The incident occurred during the annual conference of UnidosUS in San Antonio, Texas, where the Hispanic "Quest for Equity" theme took place.

In an attempt to praise the contributions of the civil rights activists Raul Yzaguirre, the 71-year-old tried unleashing her inner poet. However, comparing Latinos to things commonly found in their community did not end well. The American educator said:

"Raul helped build this organization with the understanding that the diversity of this community, as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio, is your strength."

Following what was supposed to be a reference to the First Lady's admiration for the Hispanic culture, several Latinos flooded social media platforms in outrage. Many accused the Democrat of being racially insensitive with her statement, which showed a poor understanding of the people the New Jersey tried to compliment.

The list of complaints included the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), which called out the FLOTUS for reducing their community to stereotypes. In their message, the organization noted that comparing the uniqueness of Latinos to breakfast tacos demonstrated the former English professor's lack of cultural knowledge and diversity of Latinos in San Antonio.

The "Joey: The Story of Joe Biden" author apologized through her Press Secretary, who expressed the politician's genuine regret over the misunderstanding.