The White House has announced the lifting of its COVID-19 testing requirement for individuals in close contact with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and their spouses. This decision marks the conclusion of the last coronavirus prevention protocol at the White House. The change in policy is in alignment with the recent guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC recently updated its recommendations regarding COVID-19 isolation, stating that individuals with mild symptoms who are showing improvement can return to work or regular activities after a day without fever. This adjustment reflects the evolving understanding of the virus and its management.
The White House had initially implemented its testing protocol in response to the onset of the pandemic in 2020 during the administration of former President Donald Trump. The protocol was further reinforced by President Biden's administration upon taking office in January 2021.
Both former President Trump and President Biden contracted COVID-19 while in office. Trump's illness was severe, requiring hospitalization shortly before the 2020 presidential election. In contrast, Biden experienced mild symptoms after testing positive in the summer of 2022, having been vaccinated against the virus.
According to CDC data, over 1.18 million individuals in the U.S. have lost their lives to COVID-19, with 6.85 million hospitalizations recorded over the past four years. However, more than 270 million people in the U.S. have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The widespread availability of vaccines since early 2021 has significantly reduced the incidence of severe illness and death associated with the virus.
