Biden Tests Positive For Covid-19 While On Las Vegas Campaign Swing

On Wednesday, the White House announced that President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid-19, prompting him to cancel an event in Las Vegas and likely keeping him in isolation for several days, following the conclusion of former President Donald Trump‘s nominating convention on Thursday.

Biden, who was delivering speeches in Las Vegas, “is experiencing mild symptoms,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement.

The president “will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” she said, adding that Biden is vaccinated and boosted.

“The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation,” stated Jean-Pierre.

When asked by reporters how he was feeling upon arriving at Air Force One to fly back to Delaware, Biden replied, “Good. I feel good.”

Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, reported that he developed a runny nose and a “non-productive cough” on Wednesday afternoon.

“He felt okay for his first event of the day, but given that he was not feeling better, point of care testing for Covid-19 was conducted, and the results were positive for the Covid-19 virus,” O’Connor said in a statement shared by the White House.

The physician reassured that Biden’s symptoms “remain mild” with normal temperature and respiratory rates and a 97% pulse oximetry reading.

“The President has received his first dose of Paxlovid,” he added, which is a treatment that may lessen the symptoms. “He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth, Delaware.

Biden was scheduled to speak Wednesday afternoon at the UnidosUS Annual Conference in Las Vegas after he attended an interview with Univision at the Orginal Lindo Michácan Restaurant, where photos show him shaking hands with patrons.

When Biden did not appear at the conference as scheduled, UnidosUS President Janet Murguia informed the crowd that Biden had tested positive for Covid-19.

“Regrettably, I was just on the phone with President Biden, and he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon. The president has been at many events, as we all know, and he just texted positive for Covid,” Murguia announced.

“He said to tell my folks that we’re not going to get rid of him that quickly,” she added. “He’s just really sorry he couldn’t be with us.”

The illness marks Biden’s third encounter with the virus, coinciding with mounting pressure from fellow Democrats for him to withdraw from the presidential race against Trump.

A growing number of Democratic lawmakers, along with top donors and other allies, have urged Biden to withdraw following his disastrous debate performance, which raised concerns about his ability to campaign effectively.

Biden has consistently dismissed those calls and defended his physical and mental health.

However, in an interview with BET on Tuesday, he indicated that he might reconsider his decision to stay in the race if a “medical condition” arose.

Contracting Covid-19 will complicate the president’s ability to respond to his critics who doubt his vigor and energy to run a successful campaign against Trump.

If Biden continues to test positive for the next week or longer, it may prevent him from campaigning. Persistent symptoms could also affect his performance in remote interviews conducted from home.