Fauci Warns of 'More Ominous' Strains of COVID-19 Emerging in South Africa, Brazil
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on November 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Democrat Joe Biden said Thursday that he plans to keep Dr. Anthony Fauci as his chief medical adviser and be a part of his COVID-19 response team.

According to Biden, he wants to have Fauci in the same role he has held during the past several presidencies, reported Breitbart.

"I asked him to be a chief medical adviser for me as well, and be part of the Covid team," Biden said.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has been the government's chief medical adviser since the early days of the pandemic.

But USA Today noted that the expert had been "sidelined" after his warnings about the importance of masks, social distancing, and large-scale gatherings.

Fauci has been the director of the NIAID for the past six presidential administrations.

Fauci Meets with Biden's Transition Team Thursday

Fauci met with Biden's transition team on Thursday. Before the meeting, he said he fully expects to keep his job, reported Newsmax.

Fauci also told NBC News that he would be meeting with Biden's team virtually, "talking about just substantive, uncomplicated transition issues" like the coronavirus vaccine and the state of the pandemic.

He said he couldn't imagine not being involved in the COVID-19 response of the country.

He noted that the meeting would be the first time he would be in "substantive discussions" about Biden's transition with his team.

Fauci said he has spoken to some transition team members like Jeff Zients, Biden's leading pick to be the coronavirus czar, and Ron Klain, Biden's chief of staff.

The meeting will only be about the "landing team" that will work on the first months of Biden's term if he does get certified as the winner of this year's election.

White House's task force response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx also contacted Biden's transition team this week.

The meeting between Fauci and Biden's team comes after more than 270,000 Americans died from the coronavirus, and some 14 million people have been infected.

Biden Supported Fauci Throughout Campaign

Throughout his campaign, Biden expressed support for Fauci as someone he could trust for safety guidelines and the coronavirus vaccines.

Biden followed Fauci's warnings about a possible surge in infections after holiday gatherings, also issuing his own set of notices about travel and family dinners.

Even though the two officials haven't met, Biden said Fauci had been "very, very helpful." Biden's entire health team is expected to be announced next week, following his economic and foreign affairs teams.

Biden Selects Brian Deese as Top Economic Adviser

As part of the transition, Biden also selected Brian Deese to lead the National Economic Council and serve as his top economic adviser, reported Fox News. The position does not need confirmation from the Senate.

"Brian is among the most tested and accomplished public servants in the country," Biden said. Deese served in several roles under the Obama administration.

Other economic team members announced this week were Janet Yellen as treasury secretary and Neera Tanden as the director of the Office of Management and Budget.