US President Joe Biden on Thursday tested positive for Covid-19, joining a growing list of world leaders who have been infected since the pandemic's onset in early 2020.
Mr Biden is the second US president to have caught Covid-19, after his predecessor Donald Trump was infected before the 2020 election.
Mr Trump caught Covid before vaccines were available and ended up in hospital for three days.
Mr Biden is fully vaccinated with the Pfizer inoculation, has had two booster shots and is now taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid, which can further shorten the disease's course and reduce the risk of hospital admission.
In the Americas, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has experienced Covid-19 twice in the pandemic.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro also caught the virus.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune travelled to Germany for hospital care in late 2020 after testing positive.
In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II experienced Covid-19 in February this year and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had Covid-19 in April 2020. He received hospital care at the time.
Elsewhere in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi have had Covid-19.
Former US secretary of state Colin Powell died in October 2021 after experiencing complications from a Covid-19 infection.
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US President Joe Biden and his travelling party board Air Force One to return to Washington from Rhode Island on July 20. Reuters -
Mr Biden speaks to people after delivering remarks on climate change in Somerset, Massachusetts, on July 20. Reuters -
The president arrives with senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey aboard Air Force One. Reuters -
Mr Biden boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Bloomberg -
Mr Biden enters the Oval Office of the White House. Bloomberg -
The president watches as US first lady Jill Biden greet Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska on July 19. AFP -
Mr Biden holds flowers while standing next to his wife at the White House. Reuters -
President Joe Biden departs Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, after attending a Mass on July 17. AP -
Mr Biden takes notes during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit on July 16. AFP -
Mr Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman motion towards each other during a family photo at the Jeddah Security and Development Summit. AFP -
Mr Biden waves before boarding Air Force One as he leaves Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on July 15. AFP
