White House COVID-19 advisor Fauci has surgery for vocal cord polyp

FILE PHOTO: Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 30, 2020. /AP

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert, had outpatient surgery to remove a polyp on his vocal cord, local media reported on Thursday.

Fauci, who underwent the procedure on Thursday morning, was recovering at home, ABC News said citing his office.

CNN contributor Dr. Sanjay Gupta took to social media to say that Fauci, 79, was doing well after the procedure.

"Dr Anthony Fauci had an operation today to remove a polyp on his vocal cord. He had general anesthesia and texted me after to let me know he was doing ok," Gupta tweeted.

Gupta added that Fauci had been advised by doctors "to curtail his talking for a while to allow his vocal cords to recover."

Fauci has made several public appearances since the outbreak of the pandemic in the United States. His most recent engagement was on Wednesday.

Fauci has sometimes appeared to be at odds with U.S. President Donald Trump with Fauci at times contradicting Trump's positions, particularly onloosening coronavirus restrictions.

However, Trump, last month, came out saying that he had a very good relationship with Fauci but did not always agree with him.

(With input from agencies)