WASHINGTON, D.C.: Covid-19 symptoms left Joe Biden with a raspy voice and cough as he met via videoconference with his top economic team on Friday. But the United States president tried to strike a reassuring tone, declaring: 'I feel much better than I sound.'

Later on Friday, White House officials told reporters that Biden was working more than eight hours a day. His appetite hadn't diminished — with him showing off an empty plate with some crumbs when speaking with his advisers — and he signed bills into law and took part in his daily intelligence briefings, albeit via phone.