Friday, July 3, 2026

Barack Obama tests positive for coronavirus

The former president (2009-2017) urged people to get vaccinated against the deadly virus, even though infection rates across the U.S. are dropping.

• March 13, 2022
Barack Obama
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 02: Former US President Barack Obama delivers a speech during the 7th summit of “Les Napoleons” at Maison de la Radio on December 2, 2017 in Paris, France. Obama is the exceptional guest of “Les Napoleons” summit, a bi-annual symposium, created in 2015, dedicated to all the actors of innovation in communication and development around the world. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)

Former United States President Barack Obama on Sunday said he had tested positive for COVID-19.

“I’ve had a scratchy throat for a couple days, but am feeling fine otherwise,” Mr Obama said on Twitter Sunday night. “Michelle and I are grateful to be vaccinated and boosted.”

The former president (2009-2017) urged people to get vaccinated against the deadly virus, even though infection rates across the U.S. are dropping.

“It’s a reminder to get vaccinated if you haven’t already, even as cases go down,” he said.

Federal authorities said about 80 percent of American adults are fully vaccinated; while about 50 percent of them have received a booster shot.

Last month, the infectious diseases office CDC relaxed its guidelines for indoor masking but urged people to continue to observe basic safety protocols.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Electricity meters used to tell the story.

Economy

Meter Rollout: Tinubu launches power initiative for 5,000 youths

President Bola Tinubu has launched a new national Power Force initiative to train 5,000 young Nigerians to support the rollout of smart electricity meters.

Kaduna prison

Rights

Kaduna: IHRC, NCoS seek stronger partnership on human rights, inmate rehabilitation

The International Human Rights Commission and the Nigerian Correctional Service agreed to strengthen collaboration to promote human rights.

Artco Industries Limited

Abuja

Court dismisses CAC, others’ objection to manufacturer’s N100 million suit

Justice Binta Nyako, in a ruling, held that the plaintiff’s case, Artco Industries Limited, disclosed triable issues that ought to proceed to a hearing on the merits.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

World

Iran prepares to bury slain supreme leader with week of mass mourning

Iran is preparing days of mass funeral rites for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a show of public devotion to the Islamic Republic and proof that its revolutionary fervour still burns strong.

Gazans (Credit: New Arab)

World

1,000 days after, Gazans still face humanitarian hardship despite ceasefire

As the Gaza Strip marked 1,000 days since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023, Gazans still faced humanitarian hardship despite the ceasefire.

Nigerian youths

Lagos

Nigerian pledges stronger global youth representation after IYF appointment

Ms Samuel promised to expand opportunities for young people and ensure their voices are represented wherever decisions affecting their future are made.