Biden appears strong but coughs in a virtual meeting at the White House

US President Joe Biden appeared in a virtual meeting with his economic advisors Friday to show his health improving, a day after he was diagnosed with Covid-19.

Biden, who was speaking from a distance at the meeting to discuss the White House's efforts to reduce gasoline prices, seemed strong and in high spirits, but the voice was noticeably low, hours after a statement was issued by his doctor saying that his symptoms had improved.

"I feel a lot better than I look," Biden said, apologizing for his intermittent coughing fits as he addressed recent efforts to lower gasoline prices.

"Gasoline prices are going down. The truth is that petrol prices are dropping every day," he added.

Biden appeared seated at an office in his suite in the White House, adjacent to a bag of Holes cough suppressants and a box of tissues, which were quickly removed before he began to speak.

When the journalists asked him about his health, he raised his thumb in an indication that he was doing well.

The White House said earlier today that Biden felt an improvement from mild symptoms of Covid-19 the day after he tested positive for the virus, at a time when a highly contagious mutated strain is leading a new wave of infections in the United States.

And a statement issued by the White House doctor, Kevin O'Connor, said that Biden was suffering from a slight rise in temperature, which reached 37.4 degrees Thursday night, but he responded to treatment and is currently breathing normally.

"His pulse, blood pressure, respiration rate and oxygen saturation rate are all still normal in the room air," he added.

Ashish Jha, the White House coordinator for COVID-19 efforts, said President Biden had improved Friday.

"The president is getting better. He slept well last night. He had a full breakfast and lunch."

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