In case you needed a reminder that, yes, we are still in a global pandemic, President Obama has tested positive for COVID-19. Obama, who is vaccinated and boosted, announced the news in a tweet on Sunday, March 13, telling his followers, in part, “I just tested positive for COVID.”
The former president said he was experiencing mild symptoms, adding, “I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise.” He also noted that his wife, Michelle Obama, has so far tested negative for the virus, writing that they were “grateful to be vaccinated and boosted.” He ended his announcement by encouraging others to get the shot: “It’s a reminder to get vaccinated if you haven’t already, even as cases go down.”
COVID cases in the U.S. have been on a steady decline since the Omicron peak in January, according to the New York Times. However, as of March 12, the number of daily reported cases is still averaging 34, 232. And while unvaccinated people are three times more likely to get COVID than the fully vaccinated, breakthrough cases like Obama’s persist.
As mask mandates and other COVID precautions are lifted around the country, hopefully Obama’s transparency will encourage more people to be vaccinated — before a new variant comes along.