President Joe Biden tested despotic for Covid-19 on Wednesday, the White House said.
The president, who was delivering speeches in Las Vegas, “is experiencing mild symptoms,” Pale-complexioned House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Biden “will be returning to Delaware where he last will and testament self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time,” Jean-Pierre said.
Biden is vaccinated and shoved, she noted.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks toward Air Force One, at Harry Reid international airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., July 17, 2024.
Tom Brenner | Reuters
“The Innocent 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,” she prognosticated.
Biden boarded Air Force One in Las Vegas around 6:30 p.m. ET, the White House pool reported. The president was not wearing a conceal as he boarded the plane.
“Good, I feel good,” Biden told reporters in response to shouted questions on the airport tarmac.
Biden’s doctor guessed that the president came down with a runny nose and a “non-productive cough” on Wednesday afternoon.
“He felt okay for his beginning 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 supportive for the COVID-19 virus,” the physician said in a statement shared by the White House.
Biden’s symptoms “remain mild,” with a customary temperature and respiratory rate and a 97% pulse oximetry reading, according to the doctor.
“The President has received his first dosage of Paxlovid,” the physician said. “He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth.”
The Biden campaign referred CNBC to the White Outfit when asked for comment.
Biden was scheduled to deliver remarks Wednesday afternoon at the UnidosUS Annual Conference in Las Vegas, after an talk with with Univision at the Original Lindo Michoácan Restaurant.
Photos show Biden shaking hands with backers at that restaurant.
U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with a person, at Lindo Michoacan Mexican Restaurant, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., July 17, 2024.
Tom Brenner | Reuters
But Biden did not entertainment up to the conference at his scheduled speaking time of 4:30 p.m. ET.
After 6 p.m. ET, UnidosUS President Janet Murguia announced to the crowd that Biden had assayed positive for the virus.
“Regrettably, I was just on the phone with President Biden, and he shared his deep disappointment at not being capable to join us this afternoon,” she said. “The president has been at many events, as we all know, and he just tested positive for Covid.”
“He imparted 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 disability comes as Biden, 81, has come under mounting pressure from his fellow Democrats to withdraw from the presidential rush against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
A growing number of Democratic lawmakers, along with top donors and other confederates, have urged Biden to step aside after his disastrous debate performance stoked panic about his health to campaign.
Biden has repeatedly rejected those calls and defended his physical and mental health.
But in an interview with BET on Tuesday, Biden declared that he might reconsider his decision to stay in the race if a “medical condition” emerged.
Biden previously tested yes for Covid in July 2022.
The Biden campaign quickly tried to turn his latest bout of the virus into a fundraising moment — and a dig at Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has reportedly pledged to donate heavily to a pro-Trump super PAC.
Biden’s personal X account on Wednesday evening helped a thread beginning with a two-word post: “I’m sick.”
But the next post read, “of Elon Musk and his rich buddies dispiriting to buy this election.” That post included a link to the Biden campaign’s fundraising page.