Former US president Barack Obama said that he has tested positive for coronavirus, though he is feeling relatively healthy.
His wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, tested negative.
“I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise,” Mr Obama said via Twitter on Sunday. “Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted.”
The former president said his diagnosis is a reminder for those in the US to be vaccinated, even as cases of coronavirus in the country have dipped.
There were about 35,000 infections reported on average over the past week, down sharply from mid-January, when that average was closer to 800,000.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention report that 75.2 per cent of US adults have been fully vaccinated and 47.7 per cent of those have received a booster shot.
The CDC relaxed its guidelines for indoor masking in late February, a move that means 72 per cent of the population now resides in communities where indoor face coverings are no longer recommended.
Mr Obama last year joined fellow former presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter to encourage Americans to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Michelle and I got vaccinated against Covid-19 because we know it's the best way to get the country back up and running again — and get us back to the moments we miss,” Mr Obama said in the campaign.
Mr Obama, who turned 60 this summer, scaled back his birthday party in August because of the Delta variant surge.
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Then-president Barack Obama blows out candles on birthday cupcakes brought to him by then-vice president Joe Biden in the Oval Office, August 4, 2016. Photo courtesy of the National Archives/Pete Souza -
Mr Obama with predecessors Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W Bush in Dallas, Texas, in April 2013. Mr Obama turned 60 on August 4, 2021. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama greets US embassy staff and their families at a hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Throwings darts at Manuel's Tavern before an interview with 'Vice' in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama inspects the replica of a prison cell at the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, Alabama. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Congressman John Lewis in 2011. The veteran politician died in 2020. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama strolls the lawn with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo courtesy of former president -
On vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, Mr Obama shared a moment with his young niece, Savita. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama looks at jewellery at a shop before a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
President Barack Obama participates the Gulf Co-operation Council Summit at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2016. The president is seated with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama poses for a group selfie with the US Women's National Soccer Team celebrating their Fifa Women's World Cup victory at the White House on October 27, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama watches as a vendor writes a name using coloured sand in a bottle during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama receives a fist-bump from a US soldier as he greets hundreds of US troops during his visit to Camp Victory, Iraq, April 7, 2009. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama and then-vice president Joe Biden walk around the South Lawn of the White House during a break on a working Sunday, July 24, 2011. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama delivers remarks with the help of comedic actor Keegan-Michael Key as his 'anger translator' during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, April 25, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama, wife Michelle, her mother, daughters Malia and Sasha join John Lewis, George W Bush, his wife Laura and other dignitaries to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, March 7, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama and then-vice president Joe Biden high-five after watching Sasha Obama and Maisy Biden, the vice president's granddaughter, play in a basketball game in Chevy Chase, Maryland, February 27, 2010. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
The former president talks with a young refugee as she paints at a Dignity for Children Foundation classroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama waves goodbye from the steps of Air Force One as he departs King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on his way to Cairo, Egypt, June 4, 2009. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama views the area near the Treasury during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama walking near the pyramids in Egypt. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mrk Obama removes his shoes as he prepares to visit the Blue Mosque April 7, 2009, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama sits on the grass with daughter Sasha during a barbecue with family and friends in celebration of his 49th birthday on the South Lawn of the White House. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama views science exhibits during the 2015 White House Science Fair celebrating technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions, March 23, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama and first lady Michelle Obama present a birthday cake to Assistant Usher Reggie Dickson following a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony and dinner honouring President Shimon Peres of Israel, June 13, 2012. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama turned 60 on August 4. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama hugs Gabby Giffords as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address in the House Chamber on January 24, 2012 at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama takes a moment to himself before delivering remarks to the nation after yet another mass shooting. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama jokingly scolds then-vice president Joe Biden for dropping birthday cake in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama hugs first lady Michelle Obama after she introduces him at a grassroots campaign event at Lagomarcino's Confectionary in Davenport, Iowa, August 15, 2012. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama attempts his best split with the gold medal 2016 US Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 29, 2016. Photo courtesy of the National Archives -
Mr Obama on a much-needed vacation in his home state of Hawaii. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
The Associated Press contributed to this report
