Biden entered the Rose Garden from the residency wearing a mask, as a band played "Hail to the Chief," and the crowd cheered.
"Hello, everyone. I've just tested negative for COVID-19 after isolating for five days," Biden announced. "Thankfully, I'll now be able to return to work in person, but I want to thank you all for your well wishes, your prayers over this past week and the calls I've gotten."
FROM CONTROVERSY TO COMPASSION: DANIEL SNYDER'S JAW-DROPPING GIFT LEAVES NATION IN AWE
Biden thanked the White House medical team for the "incredible care."
"Fortunately, God, thankfully, God willing, there were—my symptoms were mild, my recovery was quick, and I'm feeling great," Biden stated. "The entire time I was in isolation, I was able to work to carry out the duties of the office and without any interruption."
JAMES CARVILLE'S CONTROVERSIAL CRITIQUE: IS WOKE CULTURE KILLING DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT?
"Unfortunately, this COVID is still with us, as it has been for two and a half years, but our fight against COVID is making a huge difference," Biden announced, stressing that while the virus "isn’t gone, COVID deaths are down."
INTRUDER SLIPS PAST TSA, BOARDS DELTA PLANE, IN EPIC SECURITY FAILURE
Biden pressed "every person aged five and over" to get a booster shot, and every person age 50 and over to "get two booster shots."
FROM CONTROVERSY TO COMPASSION: DANIEL SNYDER'S JAW-DROPPING GIFT LEAVES NATION IN AWE
"I did," Biden announced, stating that even if you get COVID "your odds of getting severely ill from COVID are very, very low."
"Most COVID deaths are among those who are not up to date on their shots, their COVID vaccinations," Biden announced.
Biden further praised Paxlovid, calling it a "powerful treatment."
"It wasn’t available a year ago. It is now. It is a pill and you can take these pills at home," Biden clarified. "You can get them for free at tens of thousands of local drugstores around the country."
OHIO MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR THREATENING ARIZONA GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS, DETAILS RELEASED
Biden stated that the FDA "even put in a special rule so many pharmacies can prescribe this drug."
"You don’t even have to go to the doctor to get a prescription," Biden announced. "Millions of Americans have used Paxlovid…including me."
TECH DIVORCE DRAMA TAKES A POLITICAL TWIST: RFK JR. TEAMS UP WITH SILICON VALLEY'S EX
Biden shifted to the difference between his case of COVID versus former President Trump’s in 2020.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: BRAZEN BURGLARS IN LA USE SLEDGEHAMMERS TO TUNNEL THEIR WAY TO BUSINESSES
"When my predecessor got COVID, he had to get helicoptered to Walter Reed Medical Center. He was severely ill. Thankfully, he recovered" Biden stated. "When I got COVID, I worked from upstairs of the White House in the office upstairs."
THE PLOT THICKENS: TRUMP CHEERS ON RFK JR'S RUN, BUT WHY?
He continued: "The difference is vaccinations of course."
Former President Trump tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020, before vaccines were available to the public. Trump spent three nights at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before being released.