Mr. Biden has stayed away from the Oval Office since testing positive again on July 30, though he has tried to maintain a public presence through video appearances from the White House residence. A recurrence of the virus has kept him off the road for political events and is also delaying summer vacation plans. The president has had few symptoms during his recovery, according to Dr. Kevin C. O’Connor, the White House physician, and has appeared in relatively good health in his video events in recent days. “The president continues to feel very well,” Dr. O’Connor said in a note to reporters on Saturday. During the president’s initial battle with Covid-19 and during his recovery, Dr O’Connor never appeared before reporters to answer questions, unlike previous White House doctors under other presidents. The White House has never given a clear explanation as to why. Dr. O’Connor’s daily memos provide no theory as to where or how the president became infected. White House officials said those deemed to have had close contact with Mr. Biden had all tested negative. The president was treated with Paxlovid early in his Covid period, and while the drug has been credited with great success in suppressing the virus and preventing serious cases and hospitalizations, several patients who took it tested positive again days after his last dose five day pattern. Initial clinical studies found that only about 1 percent to 2 percent of those treated with Paxlovid, which is made by Pfizer, developed symptoms again. Later studies of patients found higher rates, although still in the single digits. However, some doctors and patients have speculated that the recovery rate could be even higher due to anecdotal experience and the characteristics of the highly contagious Omicron subvariants released this summer. Among those who had a case of recovery after taking Paxlovid were Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the president’s chief medical adviser and a leading figure in the response to the pandemic. Mr. Biden has been described by aides as eager to come out of seclusion and back on the road as the congressional midterm campaign begins to heat up. As a result of his infection, he has had to cancel a number of planned trips and has limited contact with aides, advisers and others at a time when he has scored some major victories that he would like to promote. “I wish I was with you in person, honestly,” he told Vice President Kamala Harris and several cabinet members via video during an event Wednesday outlining his plans to take action to protect abortion rights. “But I’m getting there.”
