Barack Obama announces positive test for Covid-19

Former president ‘had a scratchy throat but fine otherwise’

Barack Obama has tested positive for Covid-19.

“I just tested positive for Covid,” the former president, 60, said in a tweet on Sunday.

“I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise. Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted, and she has tested negative. It’s a reminder to get vaccinated if you haven’t already, even as cases go down.”

Falling case rates in the US have triggered the relaxation of most public health measures imposed by cities, states and the federal government.

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According to Johns Hopkins University, however, the US death toll from the two-year coronavirus pandemic stood on Sunday at a little over 967,000, from nearly 79.5m cases.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 77 per cent of eligible Americans have received at least one vaccination shot. The fully vaccinated figure is 65 per cent and 44 per cent have had a booster shot.

— Guardian News and Media 2022