President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 after attending an event in Las Vegas, the White House announced on Wednesday. As a result, Biden canceled his planned speech at the UnidosUS convention, a Latino civil rights and advocacy group.
“He is vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated. “He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. 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.”
The White House also released a statement from the president’s doctor detailing Biden’s symptoms, which included “upper respiratory symptoms, to include rhinorrhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise.”
The doctor’s statement added, “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. Given this, the President will be self-isolating in accordance with CDC guidance for symptomatic individuals.”
“PCR confirmation testing will be pending,” the statement continued. “The President has received his first dose of Paxlovid. He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth.”
