Biden likely has highly contagious BA.5 strain of COVID but his symptoms including cough and sore throat are improving, White House doctor says

• White House doctor issued an update on Biden's condition on Saturday
• President's symptoms 'continue to improve' and are 'less troublesome' he said
• Biden's main symptoms are sore throat, runny nose, cough and body aches
• Preliminary DNA sequencing indicates that Biden has the BA.5 strain of COVID
• The strain is now dominant in the US and seems able to evade prior immunity 

President Joe Biden likely has a highly contagious strain of COVID-19, but his moderate symptoms are improving, the White House doctor said in an update on Saturday. 

The variant, known as BA.5, is an offshoot of the Omicron strain that emerged late last year, and is now believed to be responsible for the vast majority of new coronavirus cases in the country. 

Dr. Kevin O´Connor, the president's physician, wrote in his latest update on Biden's condition that Biden's earlier symptoms, including a runny nose and a cough, have become 'less troublesome.' 

O'Connor's earlier notes following Biden's diagnosis on Thursday did not mention the sore throat or body aches.

Biden's vital signs, such as blood pressure and respiratory rate, 'remain entirely normal,' and his oxygen saturation levels are 'excellent' with 'no shortness of breath at all,' the doctor wrote.

'His lungs remain clear,' added the doctor. 

O'Connor said the results of the preliminary DNA sequencing that indicated Biden is infected with the BA.5 variant do not affect his treatment plan 'in any way.'

Biden tested positive for the virus on Thursday morning. He has been isolating in the White House residence since then. 

Administration officials have emphasized that his symptoms are mild because he has received four vaccine doses, and he started taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid after becoming infected.

Biden completed a second full day of Paxlovid on Friday night, O'Connor said. The antiviral is typically administered in a five-day course. 

While Biden is reported to be in good general health, he is the oldest US president ever elected and his age heightens concern over the impact of COVID.

O'Connor reiterated that the president will keep isolating in accordance with guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and that his team will continue monitoring him 'closely.'

During a virtual meeting with economic advisers on Friday, Biden was hoarse but insisted, 'I feel much better than I sound.'

He gave a thumbs-up to reporters when asked how he was feeling. 

In his previous update on Biden´s health, O´Connor said the president had an elevated temperature of 99.4 F on Thursday evening, but it returned to normal after taking Tylenol.

The White House has sought to underscore Biden's ability to work through his illness. 

On Thursday it released a video of the president reassuring Americans he was doing fine, and on Friday he participated in virtual meetings with White House staff.

Biden's schedule showed no presidential events over the weekend. The president's wife, first lady Jill Biden, is at their home in Wilmington, Delaware.