Bidens make unannounced visit to Washington DC children?s hospital

Despite surging Omicron cases of the coronavirus in the US, Joe and Jill Biden made an unannounced joint visit to a children's hospital in Washington DC on Christmas Eve.

The US president's visit to Children's National Hospital was a surprise for patients and staff, the White House reported, and was believed to be the first visit to the institution by a sitting president.

Barack Obama made a holiday visit to the hospital in 2018, almost two years after he'd left office.

Pictures on Friday showed the first couple with young patients, everyone wearing face masks to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Children at the hospital were making paper lanterns and some read the Bidens their Christmas wish lists.

"You're bringing us some joy," Biden told the patients, and he also thanked medical staff.

First ladies traditionally visit the hospital around the Christmas holiday, dating back to first lady Bess Truman during the post-second world war presidency of Harry Truman, and includes reading a book to patients, the White House reported.