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Biden resumes duties after temporary transfer of power to Harris during colonoscopy-UPDATED

19 November 2021 23:48 (UTC +04:00)

President Joe Biden was in "good spirits" and resumed his duties Friday after temporarily transferring power to Vice President Kamala Harris while undergoing a routine colonoscopy, APA reports quotiing the White House,

Biden underwent the procedure during a routine physical at Walter Reed Medical Center.

During the colonoscopy, a single 3 mm benign-appearing polyp was identified and "removed without difficulty," Biden's physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, wrote in a summary of the president's medical exam released by the White House. An evaluation of the polyp is expected to be done by early next week, O'Connor said.

The physical, conducted a day before the president's 79th birthday, found Biden to be in overall good health, according to the summary. O'Connor acknowledged Biden's persistent coughing and throat-clearing, which has been evident during some of his speeches. O'Connor said the cough is likely a symptom of gastroesophageal reflex, which may also contribute to occasional sinus congestion.

18:48

President Joe Biden will transfer power to Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday for the period during which he will be under anesthesia for a routine colonoscopy he will undergo as part of his annual physical, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement, APA reports citing Reuters.