Las Vegas, July 18: President Joe Biden, while campaigning in Las Vegas on Wednesday, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing “mild symptoms,” including “general malaise,” according to the White House.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden will fly to his home in Delaware, where he will “self-isolate and continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.” The news was initially announced by Unidos US President and CEO Janet Murguía during the group’s convention in Las Vegas, where Biden had expressed his regrets for not being able to attend due to his positive COVID-19 test.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, reported that the president “presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorrhea and non-productive cough, with general malaise.” Following the positive test, Biden has begun treatment with the antiviral drug Paxlovid, having already taken his first dose.
Originally scheduled to address the Unidos event in Las Vegas as part of outreach to Hispanic voters ahead of the November election, Biden instead departed for Delaware, where he had planned a long weekend at his home in Rehoboth Beach.
Despite his diagnosis, Biden appeared in good spirits as he boarded Air Force One, telling accompanying reporters, “I feel good.” He was not wearing a mask as he embarked for Delaware, having recently visited the Original Lindo Michoacan restaurant in Las Vegas and conducted an interview with Univision.