Biden tests positive for Covid-19 and will self-isolate in Delaware, says White House

President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday while in Las Vegas for a series of events, the White House said.

In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden tested positive “following his first event in Las Vegas.”

“He is vaccinated and boosted and has mild symptoms,” said Jean-Pierre. “He will return to Delaware where he will self-isolate and continue to fully perform all of his duties during this period. The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to perform the full duties of the office while in isolation.”

Biden was already scheduled to go to Delaware after his trip to Las Vegas.

Biden was tested after experiencing upper respiratory symptoms, according to a statement from Biden’s doctor released by the White House. Dr. Kevin O’Connor is the president’s physician, although the White House has not named him.

The president’s symptoms included a runny nose, unproductive cough and “general malaise,” the statement said.

His doctor said he has already taken his first dose of Paxlovid, a medication that is associated with reducing the chance of hospitalization or death.

Biden does not have a fever and his respiratory rate is normal, according to the president’s doctor.

Later, when Biden arrived at the Las Vegas-area airport, the president responded to a question about how he was feeling by saying, “Good, I feel good.”

Biden, 81, maintained a busy schedule in Nevada this week following questions about his health and abilities following a dismal debate performance in late June.

Both Biden and former President Donald Trump, 78, had Covid. Biden last tested positive in 2022.

The news of his Covid test was first announced at the conference where the president was scheduled to speak on Wednesday.

“Regrettably, I just got off the phone with President Biden and he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon. The president has been to a lot of events, as we all know, and he just tested positive for Covid,” said Janet Murguia, president of UnidosUS, which calls itself the largest Latino advocacy organization in the US.

Biden was expected to deliver remarks at the group’s event in Las Vegas and was delayed by about an hour and a half before the announcement was made.

Biden said in an interview with BET on Tuesday that he would drop out of the presidential race if he developed a medical condition that prevented him from running.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in March that people who test positive for Covid no longer need to isolate for five days.

The CDC’s latest guidance recommends that people who test positive stay home and away from other people, noting that people can resume normal activity after symptoms improve and there is no fever without “fever-reducing medication” for at least least 24 hours.

After resuming regular activities, the CDC encourages people to continue wearing a mask and keeping their distance from others for five days.